THE power of God as revealed and made usable in Christian Science operates directly upon the beliefs of material existence. The infinite wisdom of divine Mind, including spiritual vision and understanding, can be used for any good purpose by any individual, regardless of either youth or age. The "carnal mind" claims just the opposite, and asserts that wisdom and judgment are dependent upon long years of experience. Through its educated beliefs in the necessity of a long drawn-out process, it also asserts that unless one possesses this experience he is apt to be unstable, unreliable, and incompetent. On the surface this may appear to be true, but all finite belief is in direct opposition to the law of God. Furthermore, when we realize that the most grievous errors the world has ever known have been coupled with long experience in merely worldly wisdom, we see that the so-called carnal mind's inconsistency uncovers itself.
What is behind this assumption of the limitations of youth? Undoubtedly it is the erroneous belief that true consciousness exists in matter and depends upon matter for its development. The faculties of divine Mind, however, do not have a beginning in time. It is as impossible to trace the beginning of true consciousness as it is, for example, to trace the beginning of numbers. It is as impossible to prevent the manifestation of God's ideas through true, God-governed thinking as it would be to prevent the innumerable stellar bodies from maintaining their course.
Whenever true, spiritual thinking takes place in individual consciousness, the results of this thinking are inevitable. Youth or age has nothing to do with such thinking. Good judgment, right accomplishment, self-government, stability, purpose, noble ideals, progressive living—all these are the fruits of understanding and obeying divine Love's law, as revealed in Christian Science. The child, the youth, the young man or woman, the mature—all should realize this spiritual fact, and lay hold of it permanently. The truth of being, manifested in spiritual vision, intuition, and corresponding righteous judgment, is ours now. It is recorded in Deuteronomy that Moses said, "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
Why should there be a "revolt of youth" against sacred and wholesome institutions? Why should it be said in this age, as in past periods of history, that youth wars with its elders, and that this revolt is lawless and harmful? Upon the surface this belief seems to present a problem; but going deeper we find that the so-called "revolt of youth" may be simply the unfolding of advanced ideas of progress, and that according to mortal belief youth—because of its spontaneity—is more quickly and more deeply stirred than its elders. But it should be remembered that many of the world's leaders have been the elders who have revolted at the limited views of the past. In this we see that the so-called "revolt of youth" is a state of mind shared by both youth and elders, and that the true revolt is against the hampering processes of human conservatism, formalism, and resistance to spiritual progress. The true revolt is sinless, intelligent, spiritual advancement, in which all who will may share, regardless of youth or age.
Many a youth has been temporarily deceived by the external and mistaken manifestations of a false sense of revolt, but, like the prodigal son, his spiritual vision has shown him the way back home. Spiritual vision is seeing God as the Father-Mother of all, and man as His perfect child. Everyone who so desires may make use of spiritual vision. This vision of Truth can be accepted by a child, a boy or a girl, a young man or a young woman; and it will guide, strengthen, and bestow upon each one that good judgment which the world has long believed comes only with years. Likewise, those whose years are many, and who may be relying upon their human experience for a standard, may, and indeed must, "become as little children" and trust the divine Mind's guidance.
When we realize more fully the ageless omnipresence of divine Love, its impartial affection for all true identity, its unlimited bestowal of righteous judgment and wisdom upon all alike,—child, boy or girl, young man, young woman, or elder,—a great burden of condemnation will be lifted from humanity's shoulders; for then the age-old fable that one is either too young or too old to do his chosen work will be no more. It is reason for rejoicing that Christian Science is already lifting this false belief to a large extent; but in order to experience this freedom one must accept as his basis of thought the truth that man is the perfect child of God now and always. How could one hope to bring about a right result so long as he believed the error that he was either too young or too old to be God's perfect child?
One of the beliefs which would try to hamper youth is that when one is young he is apt to be easily and sometimes unwisely influenced. But if a young person were to turn unreservedly to God for guidance, very naturally this easily influenced and receptive state of thought would be filled with the power of good, the power of Truth, which is the only real influence in existence.
The elders have a sacred duty, especially in Christian Science. It is their opportunity to be so childlike themselves that they see, beyond the mortal beliefs of either youth or age, the perpetual newness of real spiritual existence. This is the only legitimate attitude to take upon this subject, because the material senses cannot possibly discern the unfolding of the Christ-idea in consciousness; and oftentimes where the seed of Truth may seem not to have grown, there is a sprouting thought that needs but a little tender watering to bring forth a beautiful flower.
Youth also has a sacred duty. When once it has felt the Christ-presence through Christian Science healing, it should gratefully acknowledge the blessing and seek to understand more fully the mighty power of God underlying this result. The Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, is a complete treatise on Christian healing. Its chapter entitled "Christian Science Practice" contains a clear and practical explanation of how to heal both one's self and others of every phase of error. Anyone who studies, ponders, and applies the truth regarding the divine Principle of Christian healing will achieve right results, regardless of any consideration of youth. Thus it is that young people may acknowledge Christ Jesus as their Way-shower, Mrs. Eddy as their Leader, and discern their present opportunity to demonstrate divine Science.
Mrs. Eddy has written an article called "Youth and Young Manhood," found on pages 272–274of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," which concludes with these wise and helpful words: "Dear reader, right thinking, right feeling, and right acting—honesty, purity, unselfishness—in youth tend to success, intellectuality, and happiness in manhood. To begin rightly enables one to end rightly, and thus it is that one achieves the Science of Life, demonstrates health, holiness, and immortality."
