One of the most profound and enlightening statements made by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, is found in her work, "Retrospection and Introspection," where she says (p. 67), "The first iniquitous manifestation of sin was a finity." This iniquity of finity finds its full expression in that which seems to govern and measure the lives and activities of men—in that which is called time. There probably cannot be found in all literature a more dramatic accounting of the time-governed activities of men than in the third chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes, verses 1-8 inclusive. Here, among other things, the Preacher tells us there is "a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; ... a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; ... a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."
In the Glossary of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy gives us a clear and comprehensive definition of "time." It reads in part (p. 595), "Mortal measurements; limits, in which are summed up all human acts, thoughts, beliefs, opinions, knowledge; matter; error." Does it not follow that the remedy for the ills of time, of "mortal measurements," "error," must be an eternal remedy and can be found only in the spiritual, invincible facts of eternity—the ideas and life-giving qualities of Spirit. God?
While spiritual verities exist for the sole purpose of expressing their own perfection and cannot possibly know anything that needs a remedy, by very reason of their perfection, their nature, their eternal law of harmony, they remove the seeming discords of time. The question may be asked. How can this perfection of being serve as a remedy for that of which it cannot possibly take cognizance? On page 30 of Mrs. Eddy's book "No and Yes" one will find a complete answer to this question. This answer is as logical and satisfying as is the eternal, compelling fact that light extinguishes darkness, although it cannot possibly be aware, even in the least degree, of darkness or its claim to obscuration.
