COMPARISON of the social standards of the present day with conditions which existed before the Christian era must convince one of the great progress toward true idealism which has been made in the intervening centuries. Many social customs which obtained in that ancient time would not be tolerated in civilized countries to-day. Despite many wrongful conditions which still remain to mar the harmony and wellbeing of society, the hour hand of civilization has moved far forward on the clockface of human experience. None can gainsay that the beneficent influence of Christianity upon mankind, both individually and collectively, is quite beyond the possibility of estimation. Yet much remains to be done before that happy day when society shall actually be founded upon Christ's Christianity, and men do as they would be done by.
The student of Christian metaphysics is convinced that society will never reach its goal, will never fulfill its highest purpose, until humanity is willing to adopt the standards set forth by the Founder of Christianity, and men are willing to labor unselfishly, seeking their own good in doing good to others. In the half century since Christian Science became an active agency for good, much progress has been made in many social relationships and customs. The enhanced solicitude exercised in the care of the so-called unfortunate, the improved conditions of labor, the greatly improved relations between employers and employees, the constantly increasing good will between nations, prohibition in the United States and the curbing of the liquor business in many countries, the improved social status of women, including the right of suffrage, the increase in longevity—all these and many other conditions possible of citation point unmistakably to the working of the leaven of Christ, Truth, in human consciousness, toward the establishment of God's kingdom on earth.
Christian Scientists, above all others, are awake to the necessity, individually, of maintaining the highest standard of conduct in all social relationships. Onpage 10 of "No and Yes" Mrs. Eddy uses these words: "The two largest words in the vocabulary of thought are 'Christian' and 'Science.' The former is the highest style of man." The "highest style of man" must be he who not only entertains the highest ideals founded upon spiritual truth, but he who also to the utmost lives up to the high standards he has accepted as his ideal. These exalted motives must obtain in all his activities, in all his aims and plans; for he can by no means live up to the standard of Christianity while living unto himself alone. His relations to mankind are intimately involved in the fulfilling of his Christian obligations.
