All Is Mind by Mrs. A. H. McAdoo

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 11, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 43.

“All Is Mind”

By Mrs. A. H. McAdoo

We often read arguments parallel to those in an article before me, which states: “Nothing is save what was first thought out by mind.” “All is mind.” Again, that this “New Thought” runs down from the Vedanta, which is of Hindu origin; also claims that these new thoughts are the very oldest, and that their new way of application “will evangelize the world”; namely, that “one power exists, and that we are the source,” which is equivalent to what we heard from one Blanchard Hall woman. Striking her breast, she exclaimed, “I am Christ! You are Christ!” And so puny man — including woman — with mind egotistical, is laying claim to be as God, because he can “make gardens and build houses,” and even chain the mighty elements that God created for man’s use.

But let me suggest: It is a different task to utilize the tree, from what it is to vitalize the seed that grows the tree. To breathe God’s free air is quite a different thing from making it. The infidel may tell you everything is governed by the laws of nature. Surely; but who conceived and put into working order the laws of nature?

The hen made the egg, the egg made the hen. Yes, here is a law of nature; but who conceived and formed the chemicals, and imbued the things with life-germinating power? Who formed the underlying possibilities of chemistry and electricity?

Every tree, flower, or blade of grass, every human of every race, and every animal or reptile or insect — everything animate and inanimate — was in thought of the great Creator, who conceived and spoke, and it was done. Truly “nothing is save what was first thought out by mind.”

Man is the greatest workmanship of that mind, and was made in the image of God. But when Lucifer, the light bearer in the heavenly courts, thought to usurp God-power, he fell; and there is a day of which God declares, “I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”

That nothing can be accomplished without conception and then wish and effort of will, we do not deny; and that a man can will so hard as to defraud his neighbor, we are sure. That he can clutch his gold so tightly as to rob both God and man, we also know. But the question: Is it right? Is it even profitable? Leave Bible, and the beautiful thought of eternal future restitution, out of the case. Would this “setting the whole mind and heart” on any earthly thing bring true happiness, even if it brought worldly gain? Selfishness never brings the highest type of consolation. Much less could it “evangelize the world.” Conceptions of human power never will do it. Walking in the footsteps of the Master, which means love — humble, obedient, self-sacrificing — that is the power to “evangelize the world.”

But does the universal gluttony of the age, the awful greed for gold, the extravagance and waste, the giddy rush for amusements and display, the recklessness of life called sport, the raising of armies and navies and munitions of war in every land, look like universal brotherhood and Christlike humility and love? Does it look like instruction in the beautiful life and sacred teachings of the lowly Nazarene? I need not answer. Mrs. A. H. McAdoo.