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SINGLENESS OF VISION

From the January 1922 issue of The Christian Science Journal


It was because Mary Baker Eddy saw so clearly the need of demonstrating the sixth beatitude that she wrote in Science and Health p.337) the following statement: "Christian Science demonstrates that none but the pure in heart can see God, as the gospel teaches." All the way through her writings she insists upon the strict necessity for pure, sincere, and selfless thinking in the lives of all Christian Scientists.

On looking more deeply into the metaphysical meaning of the word purity it would appear that far more is required of us than mere freedom from worldly desire or immunity from what is usually associated with the meaning attached to impurity. Far more is demanded of the Christian Scientist than the superficial reading of singleness of vision to mean that, having been afforded the opportunity for giving all one's time to one or more of the activities of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, one has necessarily "left all for Christ," however conscientiously this work is being carried out. How often when faced with problems and trying experiences we should remind ourselves and others that the sacrifice needed is not the yielding up of some particular material object, whether of a person, place, or thing, for frequently all that is necessary to the solution of problems is facing one's motives of thought and action. Are our motives so pure, unmixed, sincere, and selfless that our purity of heart would indeed enable us to "see God," to have that vision of Truth which discloses man's unity with infinite Principle?

It would be difficult to find a more metaphysical and therefore true definition of unity than is found on page 264 of "Miscellaneous Writings," where Mrs. Eddy says: "Unity is the essential nature of Christian Science. Its Principle is One, and to demonstrate the divine One, demands oneness of thought and action." A mistaken sense of unity may sometimes creep into thought if one imagines that because a number of people are gathered together and working in the same interest, it signifies unity. Surely true unity or singleness could only mean the individual reflection in thought and action of those qualities expressing infinite Principle. Indeed it has often been seen that the truest sense of love shown by individuals has been proved by taking a path alone which has appeared to diverge from one's associates. In endeavoring to live up to one's highest concept of Principle it is obvious that no time can be spared for the contemplation of a false sense of unity with people who appear to be entertaining a differing viewpoint. Endless opportunities arise for lovingly and patiently helping those who turn to us for help and pointing them to divine intelligence for direction and guidance, but love is neither false pity nor false sentiment, nor is it the fear of division; for if a man's thought is one with what he knows of Principle he will prove that there is no division in this unity, which is the only possible unity there ever can be.

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