THE materialist claims that the world of matter, the only world he recognizes, originates in the atom or the electron. No one has ever seen an atom or an electron, even with the most powerful microscope; and yet the materialist accepts one or the other as the basis upon which to build his universe. Ask him to believe that the "worlds were framed by the word of God," and he will reject the statement as intangible. In other words, he rejects the Word of God because he cannot see it; while he accepts the unseen atom or electron. Nevertheless, he claims to walk by sight rather than by faith.
It is well known that many beliefs of natural science, material medicine, and scholastic theology are based on faith in something whose origin cannot be seen or felt, and whose phenomena are constantly changing. A year or two ago a body of learned men met in a certain city and discussed the inside of the atom. One group advanced the theory that it was made up of electrons or electrical energy; but this did not please the majority, because they had come to look upon the atom as solid and fixed, and the electron was too elusive for them. Said they: If we attempt to divide the atom, we shall soon make an end of matter, and be obliged to deal with mind; then we shall have to look to the metaphysician for our classification. They were loath to give up their belief in matter as something solid, even though its origin was admittedly theoretical. The meeting ended, as one editor expressed it, "in a sad state of Babelment." As Mrs. Eddy has written in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 581), in her definition of Babel, "The higher false knowledge builds on the basis of evidence obtained from the five corporeal senses, the more confusion ensues, and the more certain is the downfall of its structure."
It appears, then, to be a case of "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." Shall we have faith in the unseen atom or electron, or in God? All must have faith in something; and men are constantly seeking something to which to pin their faith. The majority at present choose to place their faith in so-called matter. There are, however, those who have weighed material theories in the balance and found them altogether wanting. These theories have not proved practical; they have not brought surcease from sorrow; they have not brought health; they have not saved from sin. In fact, building on matter, these theories have been found to be but beating the air; and poor humanity exclaims with Isaiah, "Where is the place of my rest?" The desire for a firm foundation is "born of God," and cannot help but lead to Him, to Truth, its divine source. As Mrs. Eddy says on page 298 of Science and Health, "Spiritual ideas lead up to their divine origin, God, and to the spiritual sense of being." Thus will the seeker "choose" to have faith in God, Spirit, Mind.
When we turn from material theories and seek help in Christian Science, we begin to learn what is meant by the power of the Word in healing the ills of human existence, in destroying sin, in bringing about improved conditions. We begin to glimpse "the evidence of things not seen." We learn that in God our faith must be placed. It is this faith that reveals the substance of divine ideas. It is through faith that they become manifested in loving thoughts and kind deeds. Every Christian Science healing is "evidence of things not seen," a proof of the Christ, Truth, which "comes to the flesh to destroy incarnate error" (Science and Health, p. 583). In fact, we begin to know that the Word of God, the law of God, the law of Spirit, unchanging and eternal, is supreme. This change is brought about by the awakening through spiritual sense to the truth. Belief in God has thus changed to understanding of Him, and He is discovered to be our ever present and all-powerful helper. Then, indeed, do we have something tangible, substantial, positive, provable, on which to build. In the words of a hymn,
"His word a firm foundation gives;
Here may I build, and rest secure."
This desirable state is not attained, however, without effort. The arrogance, the vanity, the conceit, the hypocrisy, of mortal mind must be put off. In this process of putting off, with the consequent gain in spiritual understanding, we find that humility is a most necessary concomitant of faith. It was humility that enabled the Magdalen to be among the first to see the risen Lord. Even Jesus "humbled himself" before he could reach the crowning glory of the ascension. Again, there was the one who "touched the hem of his garment;" also there were those who "brought forth the sick into the streets" that "the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them." These all possessed a firm faith in God, good. To reach this height we must patiently travel through the valley of humility. "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted," said Jesus.
It is the humble faith that knows that God, good, is eternally and continually ours which brings the expression of good to our present understanding. Thus we prove our faith by our works. Let us, as Christian Scientists, not forget to pray for the humility which echoes Jesus' words, "I can of mine own self do nothing," the humility which will always say, "Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory." Then shall we realize that when we build on right faith in God, we gain all things.
