Thinkers are sufficiently familiar with destructive criticism to recognize its futility in the saving of the world. If the criticism is mere captious faultfinding, the critic suffers most, for wrong thoughts entertained are self-inflicted poison. But there is a constructive criticism which is welcomed by loyal hearts. Those who are seeking spiritual progress need the practical criticism of holy lives; business conditions need constructive criticism; the nations need the powerful thought of wide-awake criticism, so that the people may base their larger affairs on the right mental foundation. Criticism is often cumulative, showing a healthy growth and popular interest and leading to the high standard of God's assurance, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." This can be said even by the mother to her child who comes home laden from an errand willingly undertaken.
To speak freely of right ideas brings about progress, justice, and divine peace. It often requires courage to give out knowledge and experience, but to invite the opportunity to do this opens the channels for the contribution and for the attainment of a higher purpose. To suppress right criticism is to attempt to rule with an iron will and cause the talents of right thinking to rust. Every one is in duty bound to let the free be free, and so avoid the dangers incurred in suppression or in specific mental manipulation. To eliminate errors, avoiding injurious mistakes, is to be above the carnal mind and to have the Christ-mind of Love's compassion.
Christian Science shows the way to God's eternal now in which man can be at spiritual peace within himself. He who puts the whole world under divine metaphysics will not be disturbed at the tyranny of the majority, for "one with God is a majority." Intelligent criticism approaches the subject in love, healing and uplifting all in its path. Unjust criticism destroys itself. It savors of personal domination, jealousy, envy, and malice. It is negative, and dies in its own darkness. Constructive criticism should be sought after, as the wise men of the East sought the Christ-child. A welcome extended to good advice always spreads flowers on the table of plenty, and makes the spiritual feast rich with the good things of God.
