Independent Christian Science articles

The Government “upon his shoulder”

From the November 29, 1924 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel by

The shoulder as the burden bearer of mankind has long been a commonly used figure of speech. Atlas, in the ancient concept, upheld the pillars of heaven on his shoulders, and Atlas became the synonym for burden bearer. Putting one’s shoulder to the wheel has come to signify the setting of one’s self vigorously to work to the accomplishment of a definite purpose. The prophet Isaiah uses this figure in foretelling the joy to be experienced in the coming of Christ’s kingdom. These are his words: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder.” Here shoulder, as the seat of government, manifestly signifies God’s assumption, through the Christ, of the righteous rule of His universe, since as the Redeemer of mankind the “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace,” would bear all burdens.

Apparently the prophet clearly understood God’s relation to man and the universe, and mortals’ great necessity to gain a like understanding, since thereby they would learn of the seat of authority and power. The tendency to assume responsibility in a personal way is almost universal. Firmly believing in the potency of their own human capabilities, arising from circumstance of birth, native endowment, education, environment, and experience, mortals arrogate to themselves responsibility for their individual careers, as well as the credit for successful accomplishments. “Self-made and proud of his maker” is more than a smart saying, for it accurately expresses the conceit of the so-called “self-made” mortal. Yet, illogically it seems, although one take to himself the credit for successes, failures are more often laid at the door of an unkind fate, to some circumstance over which it is believed one has no control. The difficulty with this line of reasoning, pro and con, is that it leaves God entirely out of consideration, and furthermore it utterly ignores the presence of His Christ, to whom Isaiah attributed such all-inclusive qualities and powers.

Christian Science is rapidly clarifying this situation, through disclosing the facts regarding God’s continuous government of His universe. Men, learning that the divine power does control, are coming to recognize that they need to know how to utilize this power. To substitute God’s will for mortals’ vacillating desires, however, is not a task easily accomplished. The so-called mortal mind does not readily relinquish what it believes to be its attributes. The Master’s words, “Not my will, but thine, be done,” represent an advanced state of self-abnegation; but Christ Jesus was so keenly aware of God’s presence and power and of man’s relation to Him as to make perfectly apparent the futility of mortals’ claim to selfhood apart from God, to personal capabilities and the assumption of responsibility.

Mrs. Eddy sets forth the situation with extraordinary clarity on page 62 of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” “The divine Mind,” she says, “which forms the bud and blossom, will care for the human body, even as it clothes the lily; but let no mortal interfere with God’s government by thrusting in the laws of erring, human concepts.” How perfectly does our Leader give expression to the beneficence of God’s government of His universe when mortals leave to Him this divine prerogative! Trouble arises only when the effort is made to substitute mortals’ will for God’s will, human wisdom, so called, for divine.

How is God’s government made manifest? By gaining an understanding of spiritual creation, of God as the divine creator of all that exists, and of the universe of spiritual ideas, including man created by divine mandate and governed by unchanging divine will. Mankind’s belief in another universe, the supposititious world of matter, governed by so-called physical laws, variant and erring, is the stumbling-block to the manifestation in human affairs of God’s beneficent and unchanging government. Surrendering the human sense of selfhood and knowing the ever-presence of infinite good and the harmonious operation of divine law break the claim of mortal selfhood and material law. In the affairs of men, personal or otherwise, the government to be harmonious must be God’s. Already the proof is complete that when mortals, individually, look to divine Love with the earnest desire to do God’s bidding—to manifest in the daily round of experience only divine qualities—harmony, prosperity, and happiness invariably ensue.

Equally practical is the Christianizing of national ideals when once they are put upon the basis of spiritual understanding. A beginning has been made, and as men bend their desires unceasingly toward this goal, selfishness and greed will give place to generosity and good-will, expressed in terms of international amity. Then the mighty Counselor, the Prince of Peace, will reign in the hearts of men and the brotherhood of man will be realized.

On the Overcoming of Temptation

From the February 25, 1928 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel by

The reward which James foresaw for those who resist temptation was both sure and incomparably precious: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” What complete assurance do these words carry that those who endure, that is, overcome temptation, shall be rewarded after the manner of those who love God! Is it not logical, then, to conclude that love for God, which James so closely associated with resistance to temptation, is the successful means of overcoming it?

Temptation, as the word is commonly used, relates only to the claims of evil; and surely there can be no more effective method of resisting evil than to fill consciousness with love of good, and thus become conscious only of God’s presence. Obviously, Jesus was abiding in this state of consciousness when he said, “For the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” Upon his mentality so freed from evil, temptation could make no impression; for it had nothing in common with the tempter. Here is a valuable lesson for all who are seeking to free themselves from whatever is false through laying hold of the true. Temptation, that is, the allurement of evil, finds no place in the spiritualized consciousness. Our defense, then, is to become conscious only of reality, of the presence of good.

Yielding to temptation, that is, acceptance of the proffers of evil, is the source of all mankind’s troubles, of all disappointment, hardship, and grief; for such yielding is done in the mistaken belief in evil, in materiality, as real. And if evil be once accepted as real, we lay ourselves open to various forms of attack by the greatest enemy of our peace. But we are not left comfortless — left without means of resisting and overcoming the claims of evil. Mrs. Eddy gives full assurance of this ability on page 53 of “Miscellaneous Writings”: “Not through sin or suicide, but by overcoming temptation and sin, shall we escape the weariness and wickedness of mortal existence, and gain heaven, the harmony of being.” In these words, our Leader posits in the overcoming of temptation the means whereby mortals gain heaven and harmony. The importance which she attaches to the resistance of the claims of evil cannot be denied!

Jesus’ experience in the wilderness has a cogent bearing upon the whole problem of temptation and its resistance. Confronted by the presentments of evil common to mortals, he resisted them all. Even though hungry, he yielded not to the temptation to use his spiritual understanding merely at the suggestion of evil to satisfy a material desire, even so innocent a one as hunger; neither did he fall before the tempter suggesting that should he cast himself down from the pinnacle, he could save himself from injury. Although Jesus’ understanding of divine Principle was without question sufficient to save himself from the ill effects of any untoward position into which duty had led him, yet he was far too wise to call upon God to save him when yielding to a tempter who would gladly have destroyed him.

No more did the Master accept the proffered kingdoms of the world as a reward for worship of evil. The answer made by Jesus to this tempter is conclusive and important. “It is written,” that is, divine authority declares, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Worship of God alone precludes the possibility of giving reality or power to aught unlike God, that is, to materiality in its every phase. Understanding God as the infinite and omnipotent destroys the desire to accept as real whatever does not emanate from a divine source. Then is not the answer to the query. How is temptation overcome? simply this: Determine first the source of any given presentment. If it is from God, that is, if it is good, accept it. If not, resist and cast it out as did Christ Jesus, so persistently beset by the claims of evil. This is the effective overcoming of temptation.

Mortals are not left to material means and practices alone whereby to overcome the profferings of evil. Divine aid is at hand. The Lord’s Prayer contains a petition for aid which may become most effective in commanding God’s help, especially when utilized in connection with the spiritual interpretation of the passage, given on page 17 of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy: “And God leadeth us not into temptation, but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death.” These words contain the complete antidote to the inclination to accept any claim whatsoever of evil as real. Temptation might be given the significance of including every enticement of material belief, as for example the use of food or clothing. But this is not the significance which it commonly carries. Only that which is evil in its seeming nature is to be classed as temptation.

Mrs. Eddy makes it clear that the temptation to accept sickness as real has no more necessity than has sin. Temptation to accept sickness as reality is to be resisted strenuously and overcome. Of this necessity our Leader writes on page 420 of Science and Health, “Instruct the sick that they are not helpless victims, for if they will only accept Truth, they can resist disease and ward it off, as positively as they can the temptation to sin.” To accept Truth as infinite is the sure remedy for overcoming all temptation. The mentality which is conscious only of good, of God and His Christ, is not susceptible to the approach of temptation. Infinite Truth excludes all unlike Truth.

Our Textbook

From the May 30, 1925 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel by

Few persons have had the privilege of presenting to the world a message which has revolutionized human thought on the most important of all subjects, namely, God, His nature, His creation including man, and man’s relation to Him. Christ Jesus had this unprecedented privilege, which is shared in our own time by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

Jesus’ message, presented in the four gospels, turned men to the worship of God as Spirit, proclaiming the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Mrs. Eddy, amplifying the precepts of the Master, revealed divine Science, the Science of being, its rule and method of application to the gaining of salvation; she taught mankind how to gain freedom from the limitations of materiality in all its manifold forms. This revelation, which came through prayerful and persistent study of the Holy Scriptures, is set forth in the Christian Science textbook, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” Of the divine source of Christian Science Mrs. Eddy has written on page 110 of the textbook, “No human pen nor tongue taught me the Science contained in this book, Science and Health; and neither tongue nor pen can overthrow it;” and she closes the paragraph with these words: “But the Science and truth therein will forever remain to be discerned and demonstrated.” Sublime assurance! Yet how justified has been our Leader’s strong stand through the experiences of the hosts who have become the beneficiaries of the healing truth contained in her textbook! Her bold words have been proved true beyond peradventure of doubt, and the proof is cumulative. “The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations;” and both nations and individuals have profited beyond calculation from the beneficent influence of the healing Christ which for half a century, through the ministrations of Christian Science, has gone its silent way, mitigating and destroying the baneful effects of evil.

Many find in the textbook of Christian Science the counterpart of the “little book” which John saw in his marvelous experience in beholding reality. The “mighty angel” whom John visioned had in his hand a “little book open;” and John declares that when he demanded of the angel that the book be given him, it was given him with the command that it be taken and eaten. In obedience, John took the book and ate it up; and it was to his mouth “sweet as honey,” but in its assimilation it became “bitter.” In commenting on the message of her little book, “Truth’s volume,” Mrs. Eddy says on page 559 of Science and Health: “Mortals, obey the heavenly evangel. Take divine Science. Read this book from beginning to end. Study it, ponder it. It will be indeed sweet at its first taste, when it heals you; but murmur not over Truth, if you find its digestion bitter.”

It has frequently been the human experience that when spiritual Truth, the heavenly evangel, came to consciousness to supplant and destroy the false beliefs of the so-called mortal mind, conflict arose and continued until evil gave way before the hosts of almighty Truth. This is the age-old conflict between Truth and error, between good and evil. The outcome of this strife will be the ultimate triumph of good, for evil has but one destiny, that is, destruction.

In the half century since the publishing of the Christian Science textbook, so current have become its teachings that the younger generation, often with little knowledge of their author, accepts them as a part of the common heritage of mankind.

A fact of which Christian Scientists never lose sight is that Science and Health is primarily the textbook of Christian Science. Webster defines “textbook” as “a manual of instruction.” Obviously, a manual of instruction is a book to be studied, to be read, reread, pondered, and assimilated. Because our textbook reveals divine Science, which is infinite in its range and meaning, it is to be studied unceasingly, for its treasures of Truth are unfolded progressively to the spiritually awakening thought. Even its author, it is said, turned constantly to its inspired pages, finding new truths as she spiritually progressed. On the universality of its message Mrs. Eddy writes in “Miscellaneous Writings” (p. 317), “Scarcely a moiety, compared with the whole of the Scriptures and the Christian Science textbook, is yet assimilated spiritually by the most faithful seekers; yet this assimilation is indispensable to the progress of every Christian Scientist.”

Moreover, the Bible and Science and Health are the only pastor of the Church of Christ, Scientist. Dear as are our Leader’s other writings to her devoted followers, invaluable as they are in guiding the student of divine Science on his journey Spiritward, yet they fulfill a somewhat different province from Science and Health, our textbook and manual of instruction. Accordingly, no other book can ever supplant it, none supersede it in its mission as the compendium of divine Science. Through its pages gleams the white light of spiritual inspiration, which enables the watcher at the heavenly gate to behold the facts of being, the truth about God, man, and the universe. The revelation is complete. The work is ours to apply divine Truth, as revealed by our great Leader, to the problems of humankind, whereby is gained salvation and boundless peace.

One’s progress as a student of Christian Science will invariably be in proportion to his consecration to the study of the Holy Scriptures and the textbook of Christian Science, and his application of the spiritual truths gained thereby. There is no other road than this; there can be no other. Revelation in its fullness came to Mrs. Eddy; and the textbook is the instrumentality she used for giving her divine message to the world. Precious beyond price is this book of revelation; for it lifts mankind into the atmosphere of Spirit, where evil has no place, and immortal man beholds the glories of timeless Being.

True Service

From the October 2, 1926 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel by

The desire to serve humanity, which is daily becoming more prevalent, is a commendable sign of the times. It springs from a generous wish to assist in alleviating the miseries of mankind, to have some part in bringing in a better day. All too frequently men engage in the activities of life merely for self-advancement, for the purpose of gaining something for themselves, to satisfy some selfish ambition, to succeed for the sake of success.

That there is a great awakening in this direction throughout the civilized world is manifest on every hand. The thousands of organized philanthropies, each of which has the purpose to minister to some specific need of humanity, are splendid examples of the operation of good in human consciousness. But in order that such activities may reach their highest possibility, that is, that they may render true service, their purposes must have their source in the same spirit of Christ which animated the Founder of Christianity. Who could doubt his high purpose to alleviate suffering, to assuage grief, and to bring peace, plenty, and happiness in place of misery, want, and distress.

How important it is that those who are actuated by the desire to do good should have a proper concept of what true service is! They should learn the application of Jesus’ words to his disciples on the occasion of the Lord’s Supper: “He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” Whoever would truly succeed, then, must win his way through service, through ministering to his fellow-men; for truly to serve men is to serve God; and, conversely, service to God is service to mankind.

Sometimes our efforts to do good, to render true service, seem to bring weariness and discouragement. This is because of our failure to understand the divine source of our strength, to recognize that strength, capability, material means so far as they symbolize good—all good—have their source in God, the infinite Mind. Service thus rendered will not deplete one either in strength or in substance. Mrs. Eddy makes this very plain in “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” (pp. 79, 80). “Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us,” she writes; and she adds this important statement: “We have strength in proportion to our apprehension of the truth, and our strength is not lessened by giving utterance to truth.”

To apprehend the truth, then, is our necessity, both in order to insure that our efforts be given the right direction, and that we be not impoverished in our service. Good may be served in humble as well as in high places. We may not justifiably excuse ourselves for failing to serve good by the thought, Were I only in another’s place how much good I could do! Right where we are is our place to begin true service; and if we are faithful, we shall be sure to receive the reward of him who is faithful over even a few things. But we must make the beginning by being faithful ourselves; that is, by faithful service in the activities to which we are related, however few or unimportant they may seem to be. Every activity may become important as an opportunity to make manifest the qualities of the perfect man.

How shall we begin? How may we truly serve? The first requisite is right thinking. If our thoughts are right, our deeds are sure to be righteous. Christian Science is helping an unnumbered host to begin true service through pointing out the necessity for right thinking, and the method by which it may be attained. Making clear the need to change our thought from a material to a spiritual basis, that is, from matter to Spirit, Mrs. Eddy writes on page 248 of Science and Health, “We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives.” And she urges, “Let unselfishness, goodness, mercy, justice, health, holiness, love—the kingdom of heaven—reign within us, and sin, disease, and death will diminish until finally disappear.”

Surely nothing could be more direct in the way of instruction. Holding to the true model and the divine idea of Truth, Life, and Love, mortals will lose something of selfishness, of greed, of malice and false ambition, gaining the desire to do good by being good.

Service undertaken from pure motives is true service; and it serves the double purpose of blessing the doer as well as him to whom it is rendered. When the desire to serve is the incentive, and wisdom guides our steps, we are blessed indeed, in the opportunity to assist in establishing the kingdom of good. That our good deeds are often misunderstood and criticized should never deter us in well—doing. The persecutors of Christ Jesus pursued him even to the cross: so the Christian worker to—day may suffer persecution from the malice of so—called mortal mind but panoplied in the armor of right purpose and armed with the single desire to serve God by truly serving men, we may go forward fearlessly in the assurance that no seeming power of evil can ever destroy one iota of good or defeat God’s purpose to manifest His infinite goodness. Out of the fire of persecution come purified aims and ambitions, for only Truth can stand. The purified in heart see God. Whatever purifies our thoughts clarifies our vision. Seeing clearly, we shall serve righteously.

Government by Divine Principle

From the September 26, 1936 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel by

Throughout the Bible, both the Old and the New Testament, the theme of God’s omnipotence is repeated again and again. The Jehovah of the Hebrews is the Almighty One. The God revealed by Christ Jesus as infinite Spirit is also the omnipotent Ruler of the universe.

Christian Science likewise proclaims God’s allness, His omnipotence and omnipresence. He is the only power and the only presence. Accordingly, we may logically conclude that His law governs the universe, the universe of His creating; and God’s law is God’s will. Hence the government of the universe is the law of God, the rule of divine Principle, the manifestation of God’s will. And this government must, because of its divine source, be just, righteous, infallible, and continuous. Such is God’s government of His universe, the universe of spiritual and perfect ideas. This is the situation in the realm of reality, God’s kingdom, the only universe.

But the question arises, How shall this spiritual truth become practical in the governments of men, in the nations of earth? Christian Science gives a complete and practical answer to this query. Christian Science states that man is governed by God. Now, righteous government for the individual is experienced just in proportion to one’s conformity to divine law. The real man, God’s likeness, is always governed righteously, for God is his governor. Mortals are governed righteously in so far as they conform to this divine rule, that is, in proportion to their demonstration of divine qualities in their daily living. He who seeks and gains the sense of God’s presence, the presence of the perfect qualities of God, and expresses those qualities in his thoughts and acts, is bringing God’s government into practical demonstration. He is demonstrating the way of Life; and he knows that when he conforms to divine law he is rightly and righteously governed. Such an individual, of a necessity, thus becomes the best type of citizen, known for his integrity, kindness, justice, and general uprightness. By his own demonstration is he aiding in establishing God’s government, not alone for his own country, but for the whole world.

Now, a nation consists of individuals regarded collectively; and its government, if it be a democracy, is the expression of the will of its people, operating according to the rules of suffrage agreed upon. And the national mental status depends upon the mental quality of its constituent members. Its ideals are their ideals. Its type of government will be the expression of the people’s concept of government. And the voice of the people, as the traditional axiom proclaims, can be the voice of God only so far as the will of God finds expression through the citizens of the country individually. How plain, then, that reform and the establishment of righteous government become a problem for each individual. Hence government by divine Principle, which is the only just, the only righteous, the only lasting government, must be the goal sought by every worthy citizen.

Whenever the issues of government are before the public, and especially when the rulers of a country are to be chosen, how great is the necessity for every citizen to look for divine guidance! Especially does this duty fall upon Christian Scientists, to whom has been revealed the type and form of righteous government. And, furthermore, Christian Scientists have learned the practical means of establishing that government in the affairs of men. They are aware that “the government shall be upon his shoulder,” and that there will be no stability in government until God’s rule is established “in earth, as it is in heaven.”

First of all the steps in this process of Christian duty is the establishing of a full faith that God does govern, and that His righteous government may be made a practical demonstration in present needs. If we examine the faithful followers of God in older days, we find many impressive examples. Sang the Psalmist, “O let the nations be glad and sing for joy.” Why? Because “thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.” Such assurance becomes a strong factor in establishing God’s righteous government.

A first obligation, then, which the Christian Scientist recognizes, is to gain some concept of true government. Then follows the desire to make this manifest in human affairs. Examination of issues at stake in the light of spiritual illumination reveals those nearest divine Principle. This enables one to determine which are nearest right, that is, which most nearly conform to divine Principle. This determined, he is informed how to act, and will act in conformity with his convictions as to what is nearest right under the circumstances. This process excludes mere personal aims, ambitions, and opinions. It denies control either from animosity or because of mere personal attachment (see The Mother Church Manual, Art. VIII, Sect. 1). It eliminates all self-seeking. Good for the individual is good for all. Mrs. Eddy states the case perfectly on page 206 of Science and Health: “In the scientific relation of God to man, we find that whatever blesses one blesses all, as Jesus showed with the loaves and the fishes,—Spirit, not matter, being the source of supply.” And through righteous prayer, this scientific unity which exists eternally between God and man may be made practical in our human affairs to bless and prosper all. By its means, righteous government, the government of divine Principle, may be established.

In a statement which appeared in a Boston newspaper, Mrs. Eddy expressed her view that all who have the right of suffrage should exercise that right, and that each should determine for himself the party or candidate worthy of his support. In reply to the query, ” ‘What are your politics?’ ” she said, “I have none, in reality, other than to help support a righteous government; to love God supremely, and my neighbor as myself” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 276). And by righteous government, does not Mrs. Eddy mean that government duly chosen and nearest divine Principle, that which conforms most closely to the divine commands? Manifestly, then, determination of the right course to pursue in selecting party and candidates requires, first, that one satisfy oneself as to the party which best represents God’s government, which most nearly conforms to that “wisdom, economy, and brotherly love” which our Leader enjoins upon all Christian Scientists in the conduct of their affairs (Manual, Art. XXIV, Sect. 5). And surely, affairs of government of one’s country are of the greatest concern to every citizen. Christian Scientists are especially blessed in the knowledge of God, of His law, and of the means whereby this law may be made operative in the selection and support of a righteous government. That God’s will be done “in earth, as it is in heaven” is within the range of practical demonstration.

From Death Unto Life

From the Christian Science Sentinel,October 25, 1924, by

No phase of Jesus’ teaching was more emphatic than the need to love God and one’s fellow-men. The two commandments which he declared to be the greatest of all proclaimed this necessity in language so direct and withal, so forceful, as to be unmistakable. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” leaves no doubt in the thought of the reader as to the Master’s meaning. So to love God, good, as to exclude affection for all unlike Him was the standard he set for mortals! “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” is equally direct and unequivocal. The obligation upon mortals to love God and one’s fellow-men completely occupied Jesus’ thought, and was so frequently upon his lips that its spirit pervades his entire teachings.

The disciples, too, profound students of their beloved Master, emphatically expressed the need always to manifest love toward all men under all circumstances, always and invariably. So impressed was John with this need that he wrote, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” Startling statement! We pass “from death unto life” because we love our fellow-men. Transcendent truth! Loving the brethren, then, is the great necessity, for thereby do we overcome as a necessary experience the belief termed death; and this victory is won in proportion as we gain that spiritual understanding of God and man wherein Life is revealed as perfect, eternal, changeless.

What the consequences are of failing to love the brethren, the apostle declares in the concluding sentence of the verse above quoted: “He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” Could words more definitely convey the serious results of failing to manifest love toward mankind? Failure to love our fellow-men even brings death. Under the searchlight of spiritual truth these passages take on a profound significance. The importance of their messages is laid bare, and the way is made plain in Christian Science whereby they may become practicable as the guide of daily life.

Since God is Love and God is Life, to love is to live, that is, to love is to reflect the Life in which death has no part. Moreover, to express Life is to reflect Love; and conversely, to express Love’s supposed opposite, hate, seems to give a semblance of reality to that which has no true existence, to a belief which is death and in which it appears to end. In the light of the teachings of Christ Jesus and his disciples upon this subject, it seems quite inexplicable that the succeeding generations of mankind have given so little attention to their deep meaning. Mankind, to a great extent, it seems, has gone blindly on, striving to win, through the futile ways of mortal mind, the goal of material accomplishment, the goal toward which men have always struggled, regardless of the consequences. With the example of the generations of humanity before them, they have paid little heed to the inevitable consequences which Christ Jesus so impressively described. But with the discovery of Christian Science and its revelation of Truth, there came an awakening which has stirred the thought of vast numbers of men. Under the shadowless illumination of Christian Science, John’s message likewise stands out in startling significance.

Why does hatred bring death? Christian Science declares that hatred implies existence apart from God; and, manifestly, since God is Life, infinite and ever present, the suggestion of life apart from God is a myth, an impossibility which inevitably ends in the belief of death, that is, oblivion. Hatred, then, no less than any other phase of so-called mortal mind beliefs, has no foundation in fact, no substance to which it may attach itself. It has no true existence, not even a passing phase; and goes whither? Into that seeming state of nothingness out of which it has come. How marked the contrast of this condition with the expression of Life, God!

To love is to lift one’s self in some degree out of the sense of selfishness. To love one’s neighbor as one’s self is so to recognize the allness of God as infinite Love as to cease all sense of selfishness, seeing man’s perfect selfhood as the child of God. This necessitates recognition of the perfect man, in itself the true healing process. Our beloved Leader thus sets forth the signal necessity of keeping the commandments which Jesus called the greatest. On page 340 of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” in speaking of the need to fear God and keep His commandments, she says, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; love God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole of man in His image and likeness.” How could our Leader have phrased more emphatically the importance of this observance? To love more is the great necessity. Into the mentality filled to overflowing with love for all God’s creation, there can enter no slightest suggestion of hatred. Insurance against hate and its untoward result, the belief in death, is found in never ceasing love for the brethren.

Courage

by

Moral courage is defined in Science and Health as “‘the lion of the tribe of Juda,’ the king of the mental realm. Free and fearless it roams in the forest. Undisturbed it lies in the open field, or rests in ‘green pastures, . . . beside the still waters.’” It is to moral courage that Mrs. Eddy attributes the qualities of fearlessness and power.

Animal courage, at best, is based upon nothing more substantial than a sense of physical strength derived from the belief of life in matter, which displays an attitude of superiority to conditions and circumstances which commonly cause people to fear. However, when an enemy of apparently superior strength appears on the scene, mere animal courage, whether of man or beast, shows its weakness, falters and runs away, overcome by the same type of fear which it has inspired in weaker creatures.

There are many examples in the Bible of true courage, based not upon material strength and superiority, but rather upon an understanding of God as infinite power, the source of all strength. David’s superb example of courage in facing Goliath didn’t have its basis in superior physical strength. Nor was it physical courage that enabled Daniel to continue in prayer, in spite of the decree of the King forbidding prayer. Can anyone doubt the tremendous courage that inspired Paul to go to Jerusalem, in face of the certainty that he would be bound and cast into prison? He calmly went forward, with total assurance that wherever his Christian duty might lead him, he would find the sustaining and protecting presence of God, whom he had so faithfully served.

The Christian Scientist understands that mental qualities that do not come from the divine Mind, are based upon the shifting sands of uncertainty and unreality, against which the storms of error may prevail at any moment.

The word “courage” is most interesting in the light of spiritual understanding. It comes from the Latin word meaning “heart,” and it primarily means that which springs from the heart or “spirit.” As we have learned in Christian Science, that God is the only source of man’s life, and sustains it, we find that true courage has its foundation in understanding the allness and permanence of God and His spiritual creation, indestructible, perfect, and eternal. Courage is a stable quality, not subject to change, and completely superior to any sense of fear.

True courage, then, is not based upon a belief of physical superiority to our enemies, whatever form they may take, but it springs from a calm assurance that whatever dangers may threaten us, divine protection, sufficient to meet every human need, is assured through spiritual understanding. Paul, armed with faith, expressed his courage in a familiar sentence: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Renewal

by

The ancient prophets of Israel were confident of the divine source of their strength, and that it could be constantly renewed through righteous appeal to God.

The Psalmist declared, “Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.”

This assurance of constant renewal through the operation of divine law was also expressed by Paul: “Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” Paul recognized and had full faith in God’s constant care for His children.

Christian Science reveals that man, the beloved of God, is eternally refreshed and renewed by the infinite Father, in whom man lives, moves and has his being.

Through the teachings of Mrs. Eddy we learn how to make this practical in our daily lives.

The tendency of people to become tired and depressed by life’s heavy burdens, is set aside when they establish the habit of looking to God for vigor and strength, If they fail to make use of the Truth, they contribute to their own undoing.

The habit of refreshing ourselves frequently through the day by lifting our thought to the spiritual facts is of vital importance.

It is human sense that becomes tired and depressed and this false sense of man is corrected at the fountain of infinite Life. God, infinite Life, can never know weariness or heaviness. Therefore, neither can man who is the perfect reflection of God. When man’s birthright of health and strength is recognized, all contrary beliefs will disappear as does the mist before the winds of heaven.

Mortal mind, which is always a false witness, would in defiance of the divine law of constant renewal, claim that man’s substance was being destroyed by an insidious disease. Such testimony is not to be accepted! It is utterly false, How ridiculous to think that man’s spiritual substance could be consumed, depleted or destroyed in any manner. God constantly renews and refreshes man through His infinite power. Man is eternal as God, for man coexists with eternal Life.

Christian Science makes it very clear that there has forever existed between God and man the relationship of Father and son, with the son inheriting all of the divine qualities the Father possesses.

Mrs. Eddy saw the need for changing false thinking for the Truth. She says in Miscellaneous Writings (page 34), “The body is governed by mind: and mortal mind must be improved, before the body is renewed and harmonious, — since the physique is simply thought made manifest.”

Renewal, then, is attained by changing our thoughts. Weariness and depression are mortal, material thoughts about body. As they are replaced by the facts of being, that man is perfect, and eternally renewed by the divine Mind, the body responds, manifesting vigor and harmonious activity. Thus the whole process of renewal is seen to be mental. All these results are in accordance with the law of God which governs the universe with unchanging harmony.

Binding the Strong Man

by

No other religious teacher has ever used such compelling parables as Jesus did to explain his doctrines. The house built upon the sand, the mustard seed, the unfaithful steward, the fig tree, the sower, the strong man, and many other illustrations, strongly drove home the point. In each instance he was presenting an important metaphysical teaching.

The story of the strong man who was guarding his material possessions, and had to be overcome before he could be despoiled of his goods, contains an important teaching, which is made clear by Christian Science. In discussing this parable in Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy says, “Mortal mind is ‘the strong man,’ which must be held in subjection before its influence upon health and morals can be removed.” She asks this pertinent question: “How can I heal the body, without beginning with so-called mortal mind, which directly controls the body?” In these words, we are shown the necessity of controlling “the strong man,” mortal mind, in order to be free of its afflictions, sin, sickness, and death. Mortal mind claims to be the “strong man,” a very strong man, but this mind is a liar, and its claims to power are not valid. How we can bind this mortal or carnal mind, and be rid of its false beliefs, is the great blessing given to mankind by Christian Science.

Jesus established for all time the powerlessness of this false claim of intelligence, called mortal mind. When we first examine the situation, it seems incredible that a nonentity, a counterfeit, should have been given the power mortal mind claims to possess; but Science proves its nothingness, for all of its claims are destroyed by knowing the all-power of the one Mind, God. Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health: “The exterminator of error is the great truth that God, good, is the only Mind, and that the supposititious opposite of infinite Mind—called devil or evil—is not Mind, is not Truth, but error, without intelligence or reality.”

The way to overcome error is always present, and there is no need for delay. We can begin at once to declare God’s allness, to strive to realize the presence of infinite Life, Truth, and Love; and to the degree that we understand this fact, the “strong man” will weaken and be despoiled immediately of his seeming strength. When this happens, sickness is instantly healed. When thought becomes so flooded with the Truth, which is Christ, to exclude the claims of evil, not only is the “strong man” despoiled of all power, but he is reduced to the state of nothingness which is, indeed, his native state.

The operation of spiritual Truth is instantaneous. “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword.” (Heb.); and infinite Truth is always present and always available. In order to invoke this mighty power, we must understand this fact. Mrs. Eddy has wisely provided for a step-by-step process, “here a little, and there a little,” by which evil is overcome, and the Christ, Truth, is gained. She assures us that even a grain of spiritual truth will work wonders.

If we complain because of our apparent slowness in learning divine Science, we retard our spiritual progress. The “strong man” is not bound by believing the task to be beyond our capacity to accomplish; but by knowing that ever present good is all-powerful, and as we act in accordance with that knowledge, we will go a long way in despoiling the “strong man”—“of his goods.” Every claim of evil that is overcome through the application of spiritual Truth makes the way easier for all others. We are engaged in this most important of all activities, and its rewards include all that is good: peace, salvation, heaven, eternal Life.

Sorrow Not the Master of Joy

by

Mary Baker Eddy has written, “This is the doctrine of Christian Science: that divine Love cannot be deprived of its manifestation, or object; that joy cannot be turned into sorrow, for sorrow is not the master of joy; that good can never produce evil; that matter can never produce mind nor life result in death.” (S&H)

When we learn that Life is eternal and indestructible, the hopelessness of sorrow disappears. Sorrow and grief result from the belief that we are lacking some form of good. This is a false, limited sense of good, and its antidote is the fact that since God is infinite, good is eternal and ever present.

As we gain the true sense of existence — that God is infinite Love and can never be absent; that man is the offspring of divine Love, coexistent and coeternal with God; that man is forever in his rightful place, his life eternally “hid with Christ in God,” where no slightest phase of error can ever penetrate; that evil, error, whatever its claim, is wholly unreal and powerless to harm or to deprive us of any form of good — such understanding cannot fail to turn sorrow and grief into gladness and rejoicing, even to shut out the seeming enemies to joy so completely that sorrow may never enter.

Knowledge of God is a sure protection from the shadows of sorrow that would attend the seeming departure of a dear one. God’s bounty of good is never lessened or depleted, and the expression of good necessary to our happiness can never be taken away. The channels of Love are never closed; God’s goodness is forever. With this understanding firmly grasped, we may prove our Leader’s words that, indeed, sorrow is never the master of joy.

Love is the liberator.