Editorial ANNIE M. KNOTT, CSD          In the sermon by our revered Leader which was read at the dedication of The Mother Church in 1894, she says, "A new year is a nursling, a babe of time, a prophecy and promise in white raiment;" and she adds, "Time past and time present, both, may pain us, but time improved is eloquent in God's praise" (Pulpit and Press, p. 3). The year just past has been an important one in the history of the Christian Science movement, chronicling as it does our leader's return to Boston, an event which was very gratifying to her many followers, the completion of our splendid publishing house, and more recently the launching of The Christian Science Monitor upon the sea of journalism. Reverently be it said, that those entrusted with the carrying forward of this enterprise do it in reliance upon the presence and power of the ever-present Christ to still the waves on the sea of human thought, and to guide all who embark with them to "their desired haven," — the domain of spiritual being, where health, harmony, and true prosperity are the established order of things.          Our Leader tells us that "if mortal mind knew how to be better, it would be better" (Science and Health, p. 186). Christian Scientists certainly know how to be better than they were before they learned of this great truth, — better "in mind, body, and estate." They rejoice in every opportunity to bring this truth to others, that all mankind may share its blessings, and that not only the years shall mark great progress for the human family, but that the days and hours shall be so improved as to become "eloquent in God's praise."          The past year has likewise been an eventful one in the affairs of nations, not so much, perhaps, in external things, as in the marked change of sentiment which is finding expression in sudden and unexpected changes in national or social conditions, recalling the poet's words, — Silently as the springtime Her crown of verdure weaves; And all the trees on all the hills Open their thousand leaves. These changes from bad to good, to better, to best, all point to the mighty and ceaseless influence of the power that makes for righteousness, the wind of Spirit that "bloweth where it listeth," and that sweeps before it the false beliefs and solidified errors of a thousand years of mortal history. Not the least hopeful sign of the present time is the fact that in all public utterances, whether by statesmen or theologians, an awakened sense of spiritual reality is coming more and more into evidence. Not yet, perhaps, do these see the essential truth taught in Christian Science, that the spiritual embraces all real being, and alone expresses God and man in His likeness; but while many still cling to the material, and like Peter fear to come out of the storm tossed ship of human opinions at the call of the Christ, the day of Spirit has dawned, and ere long all shall see light in its light.          The great Teacher made it very clear that a sifting-time must come before the final and complete establishment of God's kingdom on earth, and it is surely upon us even now. Many are saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us," to whom the answer will come in the solemn words of the Master, "I know you not." The inevitable separation between truth and error will not only take place in science, theology, and medicine (which practically embrace all human thought), but it will be felt by each individual until there is nothing left in his consciousness which does not represent God, infinite Life, Truth, and Love. During this sifting process we are, truly, to use Paul's words, "a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men."          Well may each ask himself, How am I standing my test? Am I proving the power of Truth and Love, and so bringing hope and cheer and strength to all others who are dropping the burdens of material belief and pressing toward the heights? Has my life in the past year been "eloquent in God's praise"? If we are not ready with affirmative answers to these questions, we cannot too soon begin to watch the swiftly passing hours, that not one may be wasted in useless or harmful thoughts, words, or deeds, so that the close of this new year may find us grown "rich toward God," — rich in the power to be and to do good, to heal and to bless.   Editorial by Annie M. Knott, CSD The Christian Science Journal, January, 1909

 

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