THE attitude of Christian Science towards the problems which beset human experience is one neither of indifference nor of avoidance, and it differs from the one generally adopted. Fortitude and resignation, however heroic, are not regarded as an end in themselves. Resignation to evil, Christian Science teaches, is contrary to the sayings and example of Christ Jesus, who declared and proved that the divine will demands not submission to sin and suffering, but the overcoming of them through the application of ever available, demonstrable, spiritual law.
Resignation must not be confounded with forbearance, which is an essential attribute in combating every form of error, whether in our attitude toward ourselves or others. While in the evangelizing of the human self charity and patience are required, these qualities are unlike the attitude of false resignation which implies surrender; for there can be no surrender to evil once the inherent falsity of its claim to existence has been recognized. Those who have set forth upon the high road of Christian Science, which, claiming God, divine Love, as the only power and presence, consistently denies power or presence to any other so-called power, are wise frequently to remind themselves of God s all-power, saying with Paul, "Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." Not here and there, let us observe, not under certain circumstances, when this or that may have been accomplished, is the victory promised, but always and now.
The virtue of endurance and the nobility of courage were fully exemplified in the words and acts of Christ Jesus; but the purpose of his life was a call to mankind to overcome every phase of evil, whether it were sin, sickness, or death itself. He recognized obedience to one will only, the will of his Father. He acknowledged one law only, the spiritual law, setting aside with divine authority every other claim to law. Where he found sickness, sin, lack, and discord, he replaced them with health and regeneration, with abundance, and with peace. "Fear not, little flock," he said to his disciples; "for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." What was this kingdom which it was the Father's good pleasure to give them, if not dominion over evil in every form, even as he himself was overcoming it? In his life and works were the example and the assurance of the Father's impartial bestowal. It were impossible to doubt the magnitude of that gift to any who understood enough to claim, on divine grounds, what the Master was proving in everything that he said and did. Then, surely, if it is the Father's good pleasure to give us this kingdom, it is ours to receive it. And as we receive it, what will it do for us? On page 4 of "Pulpit and Press" our Leader writes: "Who lives in good, lives also in God,—lives in all Life, through all space. His is an individual kingdom."
