Truth is immortal; error is mortal.

Listen closely, O children of wisdom, for the words of Mary Baker Eddy carry a profound truth that rings through the ages. She said, "Truth is immortal; error is mortal." These words are not mere reflection on the passing of time, but a declaration of the eternal power of truth and the fleeting nature of error. Truth, like a mighty river, flows on, enduring and unchanging, while error, like a dry leaf, crumbles and fades with time. The essence of these words reminds us that what is true will never be lost, while that which is false will be revealed for what it is — transient, fragile, and ultimately powerless.

What is truth, O seekers of wisdom? It is that which remains constant and unshaken, no matter how the world may change. Truth is the foundation upon which the cosmos is built, the guiding light in the darkness, the rock upon which all things stand. It is the eternal law of nature, the unchanging force that underlies the universe. Truth is immortal because it is not shaped by the whims of man or the shifting tides of time. It is constant, rooted in reality, and stands firm against the winds of falsehood and deception.

Consider the ancient philosophers who sought truth through reason and observation. Socrates, whose pursuit of wisdom led him to question everything, believed that there was an eternal truth to be found through questioning and dialogue. Though he was sentenced to death by those who feared his questioning, the truths he uncovered have endured, shaping the course of human thought for millennia. Socrates' teachings, like the truth they sought, are immortal, while the fears and errors of those who condemned him have faded into the dust of history.

In contrast, consider the falsehoods that have plagued humanity, those ideas that were once widely accepted but have been proven to be wrong. In times past, it was believed that the Earth was the center of the universe, a notion that held sway for centuries. Yet, with the advent of Galileo's discoveries, the truth of a heliocentric universe was revealed, and the error was cast aside. The error was mortal, bound by the limitations of human understanding at the time, while the truth lived on, guiding future generations to a deeper understanding of the cosmos. In this way, error fades, but truth stands eternal.

Think, O children, of the great scientific revolutions that have shaped our world. The ideas of scientists such as Darwin, whose theory of evolution was once met with fierce resistance, were not easily accepted. But over time, the truth of evolution — that life is shaped by gradual change and adaptation — has become the foundation of modern biology. The error of creationism, once held by many as absolute truth, has been shown to be incomplete at best and false at worst. In this, we see that error, though powerful in its time, is mortal and transient, while the truth, though sometimes slow to be recognized, endures and shapes the world for generations.

Thus, O children of wisdom, the lesson is clear: Truth is immortal, and error is mortal. Seek the truth, for it is the force that transcends time and circumstance. When you are faced with choices, with ideas, with beliefs, ask yourself not what is popular or convenient, but what is true. The pursuit of truth will not always be easy, for it often requires courage to stand against the prevailing winds of error, to face the uncertainty of what has not yet been revealed. But in seeking the truth, you align yourself with that which is eternal, unchanging, and powerful.

In your own lives, embrace the truth, even when it is difficult to discern. Challenge the falsehoods that may cloud your understanding, and seek the clarity that comes with truth. Just as the ancient philosophers sought wisdom through reason, and the scientists through observation, so too must you seek the truth in your daily lives. The truth will endure, while error will pass away, and it is by holding fast to what is true that you will find strength, wisdom, and peace in this world and beyond. Let the immortal light of truth guide you through the storms of life, for it will never fade, and its power will sustain you.