THE mortal sense of things is by its very nature limited and faulty, and those who accept its testimony live in a state of daily fear. It imposes burdens which are borne until the awakening to a right concept of God and man comes. It matters not what we dread—it is something that has no place in the divine economy, otherwise it would not produce fear. Christian Science is revolutionizing thought in this respect. It is unfolding a truer sense of education, giving it vital force, and revealing that all truth rests on a foundation of love. It is wonderful what is being done in this way, and how receptive the youthful mind is to those lessons which exclude the bogies of mortal imagining. But no less wonderful, though divinely natural, is the transformation in the thought of older children to whom the revelation of good as the only reality has come in Christian Science. It is like the beacon-light to the traveler who has lost his way. With it is associated a sense of power to know and apprehend the essential wholesomeness and purity and lovableness of all that is really worth possessing, because the good involves no sense of fear; rather does it inspire with courage and cheerfulness. No man was ever afraid of that which is good; hence, fearfulness has no place in man's relation to God, the absolute good. As thought centers upon Him as infinite Love, Life, and Truth, the consciousness is impressed with a sense of peace and confidence, and is accompanied by a resolve to depart from evil ways and seek only that which is righteous. Every impulse in this direction is the answer to prayer,—desire going out to the one creative source for a fuller and deeper realization of man's unity with God and for strength to be equal to daily needs.
It has been said that it requires a large amount of courage to be a Christly man in these days when the tendency is rather to whittle down truth to its finest point, while at the same time seeking to conjoin with it a semblance of Christian ethics. But courage, confidence, cheerfulness, and faith have always been necessary to live the spiritual life. These qualities are part of the real man. Mortal mind would fill us with misgivings; would have us either be apprehensive that we are steering our lives in a wrong direction, or that it is impossible for mankind to know the truth about anything, especially that which relates to our future destiny, so great is the din of discordant sounds, claiming, many of them, to emanate from the realm where there is naught but pure harmony and light.
But what relief we find when we turn to the life and study the words of the Master! The little band that attached themselves to him ofttimes followed with fear and trembling. The marvel is that they were so faithful, in view of their very faint apprehension of the truth and the opposing influences that surrounded them. But the Christ, the light that lighted them as every man is lighted, inspired them with faith, hope, and some measure of assurance that they had found the true way of life. That wonderful sixteenth chapter of John is an uplifting declaration of truth. "These things have I told you," Jesus more than once repeated. He said they should not be despondent; he had proved to them that he came from the Father, his Father and theirs, who was infinite Love and always present. Jesus taught so plainly, indeed, on this occasion that the little band admitted he had departed from metaphor and made clear to them that he was the Christ of God. And then he warned them that in working out of mortal belief they would have trouble. They would not always be so confident; faith would falter and they would be affrighted. But, "Be of good cheer," said he (or rather, "Keep up your courage," which is the better translation). He had overcome and gotten the victory, and they would do likewise. On other occasions Jesus adopted the same encouraging and inspiring tones. His work was not to depress, but to uplift; not to make life burdensome, but to give rest. The Christ does this for every man who seeks him. When a sick man was brought to him, trembling and faithless, the patient was informed that he should "take courage." Jesus knew that all power is of God; it was the Father who was doing these mighty works; therefore, not only would the sick of the palsy be healed physically, but, to the astonishment of the listeners, they heard that the man's sins would also be forgiven him.
