ON the first page of the Preface to the textbook on Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy writes, "The time for thinkers has come." What an arresting thought this is! With what a thrill of expectation does the one who opens the book for the first time come upon these words! Surely they constitute a challenge to each serious-minded reader; and if he reads on with sincere and receptive thought he acknowledges that thinking is indeed the most vital activity of human existence. He realizes, perhaps dimly at first, but with ever growing conviction, that he dwells in a mental realm and not, as he had always previously thought, in a material realm; and he comes to see that the degree of harmony in his condition, and in all his experience, is dependent upon the kind of thoughts he entertains.
Reading on, the seeker for Truth learns that God is Mind, the one and only Mind; that God is Spirit, and that man, His idea or reflection, is therefore spiritual. Then he begins to see that, since God is the only creator, the only thoughts which really exist or have power are the thoughts proceeding from the one and only Mind, God. Moreover, inasmuch as the real man reflects God, he can reflect only the thoughts that constitute the activity of divine Mind. All this is logical enough; and yet the reader may say, What, then, of the thoughts of hate and fear, of disease and sin, that I have had and that I see others have? In Christian Science one soon learns that since these do not proceed from God, who is altogether good, they may not properly be called thoughts. On the contrary, they are erroneous suggestions, emanations of a so-called carnal mentality, which is not Mind at all, but its very opposite.
It is evident, then, that Christian Science emphasizes the importance of keeping watch over one's thinking. Moreover, if one is standing guard over his thoughts, he may rest assured that his words and acts will be correspondingly right. One who thus discriminates is careful regarding that which he admits into his mental home, striving to keep it clean, presentable, and harmonious. He comes to see that far greater than the possession of mere physical beauty, talent, grace, or accomplishment is the ability to show forth or express a beautiful spiritual consciousness. Every student of Christian Science, in the proportion that he is obedient, is striving to let that Mind be in him "which was also in Christ Jesus." A study of the words and works of Jesus makes it clear that he expressed the divine Mind through his clear, correct thinking about God and man.
