Each individual who has begun to turn from human illusions to see the need of working out his own salvation, has found himself with the task of determining just what this work is,—what will be required of him and how it is best and most surely to be performed. Amid its turmoil and suffering, the world has never really been stilled or satisfied by the promise that some day all this would be answered, and the way to freedom made plain. Its hunger for something better, and the endeavor to find the way out of evil, have remained unanswered because of ignorance and mortal inability; and not because humanity has been satisfied or at peace with human theories or barren creeds. It is from the very heartsickness and disappointment of this confusing dilemma and philosophy of life that the wearied one turns to Christian Science, usually with the hope of some present physical relief, but sometimes only that lie may be lightened from care or receive definite assurance of the way to future surcease and peace. What an awakening when he finds that health, freedom, and happiness are available here and now! Yet, even after this is seen, he finds that there are arguments that would again obscure this clear perception.
The belief that mankind is not free to forsake entirely evil or error in any and all of its forms, if accepted, hinders not only the beginner but the one more advanced in Christian Science. The disappearing remnants of false theology may unconsciously have left the conclusion that we must undergo an inevitable sequence of suffering and punishment to atone for certain so-called types of evil, a complete cycle of retribution, perhaps, before we can hope for deliverance; and that, although one recognizes, and seeks to correct his mistake, this can only be accomplished by going along the road of unavoidable suffering or penance. All this may appear to be the case just so long as one does not repent or desire to forsake evil; for all suffering is summed up in the voluntary or in the ignorant participation in wrong. But how can man, the idea of God, as explained in Christian Science, be rendered incapable of recognizing and realizing Truth at any moment? Alan, the real man, who is the reflection of his Maker, has never departed from the truth, has never fallen for so much as a single instant; nor does he need to undergo any process of retribution. When we perceive the divine likeness, ever the same in its eternal nature, we do not need to wait for any sequel or sequence of retribution, but are enabled to proceed directly from this scientific premise to its conclusion, to turn from disappointing, distant hope to present, liberating realization, recognizing no obstacle as able to separate God and His perfect idea. As to the qualities of good themselves, even from a human standpoint it is certain that we do not need to wait to be holier; for holiness is a quality as free as the sunlight to all who will simply forsake the darkness of evil. Spiritual wholeness has never been limited to any particular individual, or meant for some future period of time. Since holiness is without reference to these modes of human thought, all of the qualities of good, or God, are available for man to-day.
We do not need to wait for the new life that theology has long promised in a world hereafter, for we can begin life anew at the present moment; and it is imperative that we do so, and at the very instant that we recognize that error has deceived us. Even if the discord of our everyday surroundings, which endeavors to crowd in upon us has momentarily seemed to obscure to our sense the Christ-ideal, do not God and man and the truth of being remain unchanged? Our demonstration is simply to return to the recognition of these.
