It is significant that our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, gave confidence in the truth so important a place in the textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." There she writes (Pref. p. vii), "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings;" and on page 1, she further states, "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love." These inspiring sentences are familiar to all Christian Scientists. A careful study of these two statements of truth reveals the fact that they are intimately correlated with the First Commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." It would be difficult to conceive of a greater proof of confidence than "leaning on the sustaining infinite" or standing firmly in "an absolute faith," both of which involve strict obedience to the command to "have no other gods."
Paul says, "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward;" and turning again to Science and Health (p. 368) we read, "The confidence inspired by Science lies in the fact that Truth is real and error is unreal." Thus Mrs. Eddy has given us the key to the Scriptural use of the word "confidence," making it clear that it is through understanding that we are able to distinguish between Truth and error. It is obvious that in proportion as we reach this point we will have confidence only in the truth, and cease to rely upon that which we know to be unreal. It is by knowing the truth, then, and by confiding in it absolutely, that "the truth shall make you free." To have confidence in the truth is to yield to the scientific fact that God knows our innermost thoughts, and to leave our well-being to Him. It means to be unreservedly trustful, assured beyond doubt; and it leads to a feeling of security. It places man on terms of the most sacred intimacy, or "at-one-ment," with God.
The opportunity for practical application of his confidence in the truth comes to the Christian Scientist daily. In all human affairs the tempter tries to whisper the word of doubt —to suggest reliance on material means. Perhaps we are tempted to deviate only slightly from truth; and the reward such deviation promises, which is always material, is placed vividly before our gaze. It may seem very plain that the result we so much want will be ours if we but trust in matter for the moment; but the alert thinker realizes that this little wedge of disloyalty, which often seems so trivial, would soon grow into error of large proportions.
