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.
