TRUTH is universal, and the search for Truth unites individuals. The search for that truth which shall make men free is unifying as the allness of God is recognized. Christian Scientists in all lands acknowledge the one God and Father, who is Life, Truth, Love, Spirit, Mind, Soul, Principle, and man as spiritual, having his origin in God. They acknowledge one Lord and Master, Christ Jesus; one Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and Leader of the movement, Mary Baker Eddy; and they use as textbooks the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and, in addition, other works by Mrs. Eddy from which to understand and practice the Science of Christianity and spiritual healing. And they look to the Manual of The Mother Church to guide and defend both themselves and their Cause. This oneness of starting point enables Christian Scientists to approach understanding the application of the First Commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
Our Leader has summarized as follows the majestic effect of obedience to this commandment, her favorite text, in the lives and actions of men nationally and internationally (Science and Health, p. 340): "One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, 'Love thy neighbor as thyself;' annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,—whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed."
Christian Scientists, the world over, are united then in learning practically to love God and man, in accordance with the two commandments which Christ Jesus declared to be the great commandments, and which are one in essence. To do this they must systematically and often enter into the closet as Jesus admonished, and in that mental and spiritual retreat, with the door of consciousness closed against the errors of material sense, they must wake to understand the nature of the one infinite God and of their own true being. In these periods of communion they realize something of the reality and presence of God's spiritual creation, and rise to a concept of man as the embodiment of the spiritual qualities of Life, Truth, and Love, as expressing law, order, and endless activity. Before this vision, the sense of their own finite material personality, circumscribed by a matter body and human failings, fades, and they emerge revived and strengthened, loving God and humanity the more.
