One of the points upon which practically the entire world agrees and to which there has been admirable adherence in these recent years of strife, is the necessity for taking a firm stand in matters of justice, regardless of the cost. Christian Scientists are grateful in their recognition of this unity of thought and purpose because they can appreciate the underlying inherent truth that prompts such a universal, firm stand.
After a nation or an individual has taken a stand for Principle, has determined on the correct course in the solution of a problem, and begins to make progress in the right direction, just at this point, above all others, would error like to distract attention and thwart the purposes of good. If we persist in the true path, regardless of any of these mythical temptations, frequently one of the last pleas of error, which may oftentimes just precede our arrival at the goal, is, "Let us compromise." Can you really compromise with a wrong belief and succeed? Certainly not. If you had believed for years that two times two are five, and then came to understand that two times two are really four, would you not accept the truth about it? Or would you feel that it was too great a step from the old belief to take all at once, and therefore compromise in the matter? Would it be easier to go about for six months saying that two times two are four and three quarters, for another six months that two times two are four and one half, and so on until you got down to the truth? The only way to dispel any wrong belief is to know the truth about it; there is no easier way, no compromise. However radical such an attitude seems in comparison with our former ways of thinking, or in what contrast it is to the ways of the world, we are rewarded abundantly for our recognition of and adherence to Truth.
Listening to the temptation to compromise has prolonged so many struggles and kept so many seekers for Truth wandering round and round in a circle of indecision, that it is well to be alert and refuse to entertain any thoughts of tarrying on the way. Mrs. Eddy uncovers this lurking error in positive terms that have in numbers of instances been just the help needed to complete the banishment of the foe and turn rejoicing faces upward in freedom and gratitude.
