RADIANT happiness is a characteristic of Christian Scientists which is often commented upon by people who are perhaps inwardly questioning what there is in the religion taught and lived by Mrs. Eddy that so markedly differentiates its followers from their fellows. That which all are seeking, in one way or another, should not be so elusive and intangible, in a way so negligible a quantity, that the comparative minority who seem to have found the key to this treasure should be regarded almost enviously. Yet the way to happiness was an open secret even in the days of David, for he declared, "Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord." Happiness, then, is the result of obedience to God's commands, a spiritual and not a material possession.
Mrs. Eddy had proved this for herself when she wrote: "Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it" (Science and Health, p. 57). Unselfishness was the key-note of her own life; to share with mankind the blessing vouchsafed her in that understanding of God which is life eternal, became her one great desire, and in this sharing she found the only enduring happiness. The application is obvious. Seeking first the kingdom of God, yielding obedience to Truth and Love, what should hinder the attainment of that joy which fadeth not away, that overflowing happiness which one has only as he shares it, until its radiant beams shall have dissipated every last vestige of sin, disease, and death.
The line of demarcation between spiritual and so-called material happiness is sharply drawn. Spiritual happiness is the kingdom within, of which the Master said, "Your joy no man taketh from you." Material happiness is that will-o'-the-wisp the world is ever seeking as a greatly to be desired treasure, yet never finding, because it is always just beyond, or else its promised joys turn to ashes in the hands of those who would grasp it. This is but another proof that the spiritual alone is the real. That which seems substance is as ephemeral as the "flower of the field"—"the wind passeth over it, and it is gone."
