WHAT a vast amount of woe the world would be saved were it to abide by Paul's admonition: "They measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. . . . But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord"! Similarly, Mrs. Eddy counsels her followers on pages 308 and 309 of "Miscellaneous Writings": "I earnestly advise all Christian Scientists to remove from their observation or study the personal sense of any one, and not to dwell in thought upon their own or others' corporeality, either as good or evil;" and she goes on to say, "He advances most in divine Science who meditates most on infinite spiritual substance and intelligence."
High as this standard of thinking and living may appear, every one must admit that it is practical. Conspicuous among the evils resulting from the failure to live up to it, is seeming inequality among individuals, races, and nations. Unquestionably, a large proportion of mankind's restlessness, discontent, unhappiness, strife, and warfare is due to the apparent inequality resulting from "measuring themselves by themselves." What a different world this would be were each person busy contemplating the perfect model "shewed to thee in the mount," and seeking to fashion his own life after its perfection! Where could jealousy, dissatisfaction, unrest, find a place in the consciousness of one who had caught a vision of the true status of the real, spiritual man, the perfect child of the perfect Father? There is no inequality among the children of God: there is only equal sonship. Paul indicates this in his letter to the Romans, when he says, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
This is far from saying that equality exists among the sons of men. The greatest possible inequality of worth, talents, wealth, freedom, health, happiness, and opportunity is evident on every hand. In materiality there can be no equality, no abiding equity. To this disordered state Christian Science brings harmony, peace, and justice, not by ignoring inequality, but by healing it and thereby establishing right equality. It sets before each individual the task of demonstrating his high estate as the perfect child of God. In proportion as this is done, inequality vanishes. Such a task leaves no time for gossip, criticism, jealousy, and discouragement. Since in this race each runner wins a prize, the achievements of one should gladden and encourage the others.
It is heartening to consider how far-reaching is each individual effort toward self-correction and improvement; for as every one proves, little by little, his perfection and heritage as the child of God, he frees himself not only from personal shortcomings, but also from the inequalities of family, sex, race, and nation to which he seems to belong, thus benefiting the whole world by his efforts. Questions of social and racial equality will find happy solution as this individual regeneration progresses.
In the present state of affairs, people differ greatly in their fitness for filling important places. When James and John requested that they be allowed to sit, the one on the right hand and the other on the left hand of Jesus in his glory, it is recorded that Jesus questioned them as to their ability to endure, showing them that these places would be given to them for whom they were prepared. This question of fitness, Mrs. Eddy discusses on page 455 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," under the marginal caption, "The trust of the All-wise." She says: "God selects for the highest service one who has grown into such a fitness for it as renders any abuse of the mission an impossibility. The All-wise does not bestow His highest trusts upon the unworthy. When He commissions a messenger, it is one who is spiritually near Himself."
Spiritual fitness being the requisite for advancement, should not our whole concern be to attain spiritual worth? Every thought, motive, word, and act must be brought into conformity with divine Principle, even as Isaiah represents the Lord as declaring, "Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place." Of what avail are human scheming, conniving, force, influence, and subterfuge? Any seeming profit gained from such means is only defeat; for it leads one farther away from God. Who would wish to occupy a position for which divine wisdom did not find him prepared? What more foolish than to murmur over a failure to receive undeserved reward, especially since the way to deserving all good has been revealed and is open alike to all?
Christian Science reveals the unreliability of the so-called human mind and of all things material, wherein can be found no equity and fairness; but it also teaches that these exist in the divine Mind, and are the portion of those who reflect divine equity and fairness in their own lives and thoughts. In divine justice we may safely place our confidence, for our eternal refuge is in the one Mind, infinite Love, where good reigns supreme. Our need is to divest ourselves of the prejudice, ignorance, ambition, criticism, and emulation that would blur our vision, thus obscuring spiritual beauty, righteousness, and equity.
When Mrs. Eddy applied the appellation "Father-Mother" to our divine Parent, acknowledging the completeness of the divine character, she gave the greatest possible impetus to the recognition of the equality of the sexes and to the establishment of equal rights for men and women. On page 516 of Science and Health she says, "Man and woman as coexistent and eternal with God forever reflect, in glorified quality, the infinite Father-Mother God." This larger concept must lead to a corrected concept of man and creation. Hitherto, governments and codes have been largely representative of masculine thought, which, however kindly, wise, and just, could not fully meet the needs of the human race. The appearance of women side by side with men in all important places in life is helping to contribute more of the feminine qualities to the world's thinking, requisite for a fuller understanding of the needs of mankind. When all men and women shall have learned that God is the only Mind, as taught in Christian Science, and when they shall reflect this Mind in all their thoughts, then indeed will joy, peace, and equality be established on earth.
The endeavor of individuals throughout the world to pattern their lives after the perfect model must inevitably lead to a commonwealth of right living and right thinking, of unselfish ideals and ennobling aims, all tending toward solidarity and concord among nations. Such endeavor will free the several races and nations of their handicaps and inequalities, proving their equality through actual attainment and worth.
After all, who shall say what is high and what is low? Are not these human standards? In reality, each of God's children is equally near Him, equally desired, equally loved, equally provided for. What greater equality could there be than this: "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ"? What more glorious task than to prove this heritage? So, let us live our lives joyously, courageously, expectantly, with the perfect model ever before us! Let us glory in the perfection of the Christ and what it is doing for mankind!
