THROUGHOUT the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, there is recognizable a consistent effort to lift thought above the evidence of the physical senses and guide it in the solution of the problem of true being. Our Leader frequently uses the word "problem," as, for example, in the following statement from "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 348): "Divine Life, Truth, Love is the basic Principle of all Science, it solves the problem of being; and nothing that worketh ill can enter into the solution of God's problems." From this and similar statements one cannot fail to discern the fact that the only problem to be solved is the question of our relationship to real being, "the basic Principle"; in short, the problem of how to be Godlike in our thinking and living.
A student of mathematics must solve certain problems or examples in order that he may demonstrate the stated rules. He must rectify or correct his mistakes and gain a right solution of his problem by acquiring a demonstrable understanding of the fundamental rules of mathematics. Were he to become so mesmerized by one of his mistakes that he believed the mistake to be the problem itself, and consequently spent his time in meditating upon the mistake, he would make no progress in the solution of the problem at hand. Likewise, the discordant physical, financial, and sinful conditions we seem to encounter are but the mistakes or errors which indicate a lack of successful solution of our problem of being Godlike. The errors must be recognized as such and not be mistaken for the problem. The confusing of the mistake with the problem, indicated in the use of such terms as physical problems, financial problems, problems of environment and the like, suspends recognition of the operation of Principle, in one's effort to identify one's self with one's creator. Our one problem is to reflect the divine Mind, to demonstrate what God is, and to prove what man is as God's reflection or likeness.
Man, the reflection of the divine Mind, is spiritual and expresses infinite intelligence. Obviously, then, our only problem is that of reflecting the divine Mind, the problem of thinking intelligently, which means thinking such Godlike thoughts as kindness, unselfishness, wisdom, mercy, justice. Man, as the reflection of Life, expresses existence. Mankind's problem, then, is not to make a living, but to live the life exemplified by Jesus, the Way-shower.
