THROUGH the illusions of material sense it is not possible for mankind to achieve real happiness or peace. The limitations of matter fetter the mortal, and the uncertainties incidental to human experience are apt to render his life a ceaseless round of anxiety and fretting care. Something vital is lacking, for it is obvious that man, referred to in the book of Genesis as created in the image and likeness of God, could not be the victim of material circumstances beyond his control. Happiness, contentment, and dominion belong to God's man, and poor indeed is the human being who does not at times vision a better state of existence. As a matter of fact there is in human consciousness an insistent yearning for a freer, purer life, a yearning that cannot forever be ignored or disappointed. Sooner or later the demands of Truth must be obeyed, and the fact learned that there is no selfhood apart from that bestowed by God.
Those familiar with the teachings of Mrs. Eddy are aware that she held in highest estimation the virtue of purity. On page 241 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she has written, "We should strive to reach the Horeb height where God is revealed; and the corner-stone of all spiritual building is purity." The corner stone of a building is, as we all know, an important stone. The above reference indicates that, unless our motives are pure and aspiring to freedom from all taint of self, we shall hope in vain to reach a state of purity, which state, it may be well to remember, is not merely a desirable end to strive for, but our divinely ordained destiny, the goal at which, some time or other, all must arrive.
The prophet Jeremiah declares, "They shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them." Our approach to God must spring from pure, unselfed desire. Only thus shall we be able to obey the apostle's injunction to present our bodies "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God."
