Jesus in his last discourse with his disciples made clear to them that they were not to be orphaned by his going away. He assured them that the unseen agency for blessing would continue to bear witness to him and would bring to remembrance his teachings, and this agency he spoke of as the Comforter, that is, the helper, the very "Spirit of truth" issuing from the Father. The definition of Holy Ghost given in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 588), is interesting in this connection, if we note the word development: "Divine Science; the development of eternal Life, Truth, and Love."
What may we expect in this development? The word means liberation from that which infolds or envelops, that which entangles or causes confusion. It also means gradual unfoldment, as when the bud swells, and bursting the hard inclosure opens out into bloom as the perfect flower. The words of Jesus are most clear in regard to the change to be wrought by the presence of the Comforter, for he said: "When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." The meaning would be clearer if the word convince had been the translation instead of reprove, because it was to convict the world and convince men of sin, righteousness, and judgment that this Spirit of truth was to come.
There are many definitions of sin, but they all infer some defiance of divine law. We may find a clear understanding in the words of Jesus in answer to those who asked what they should do in order to work the works of God. "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." The Holy Ghost, then, was to convince men of the basic error of unbelief. Disbelieving the witness borne by Christ Jesus regarding the one who sent him, shuts out the denier from knowing what Christ Jesus was as Way-shower, friend, revelator of Principle, and demonstrator of Love. It precludes knowledge of the righteousness manifested in the inseparable unity of Father and Son, wherein is promise of salvation through atonement for all mankind as they awake, arise from the deadness of unbelief, and accept the light of God.
