Christ Jesus gave to the world the highest Christian standard in his divine command, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Although this command is undeviating in its righteous demand, mankind is slowly, yet perceptibly, awakening to the possibility of its fulfillment.
Through the study of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, the sincere worker experiences a continuous spiritual awakening. He becomes aware of the need for greater individual effort in the overcoming of his own shortcomings, if he would be of any true service to his fellow men. In Christian Science the process of overcoming evil is made available to all. It is the truth of being revealed to human consciousness, and accepted—the truth that evil is not real, and that man is now perfect, for, according to the Scriptures, he is made in the image and likeness of God, the perfect Father-Mother God. The knowledge and utilization of these great spiritual facts is establishing the standard of perfection, and thus fulfilling the command and demand of our Master.
It is most heartening to witness an eager desire and a sincere effort not only to reach out for more progressive modes of living, but actually to attain that standard which is both idealistic and practical. Our beloved Leader has said in "Miscellaneous Writings"((p. 232)): "This age is reaching out towards the perfect Principle of things; is pushing towards perfection in art, invention, and manufacture. Why, then, should religion be stereotyped, and we not obtain a more perfect and practical Christianity? It will never do to be behind the times in things most essential, which proceed from the standard of right that regulates human destiny."
Because of this God-given dominion bestowed upon man, and because of His eternal law of ever-present good, many wonders are being unfolded to humanity which would have been considered by our forefathers incredible and impossible. God's loving provision and inevitable law of progression for all may seem to appear, at present, through ways and means apparently very human, but this is only another evidence of the nature of divine Love, meeting the needs of the children of men. "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Science and Health, p. 494). The children of God have no needs. God's complete and finished creation is, always was, and ever will be, fully supplied with all good. In proportion as thought is spiritually enlightened, and God and His universe are seen in their true and perfect sense, the realities of harmonious being appear here and now.
Human desires and demands for better means and methods are being evidenced in every department of life. The progress regarding transportation is phenomenal, automobile and plane having taken the place of less adequate modes of travel. Although there is need for greater care and clarification with regard to methods for broadcasting, we may be grateful to our radio stations for many of their progressive programs.
Today we are beholding woman's equality of rights and privileges coming to the front. Industrial, civic, and national advancement is bringing to men and women in all walks of life greater freedom and opportunity for the cultivation of that which is fine and good. Just how and when, more fully and generally, this state of progress will be made manifest and accepted remains as yet unseen, but there is joy in knowing that God is guiding all into the realization and demonstration of omnipresent spiritual perfection.
"O, sometimes gleams upon our sight,
Through present wrong, th' eternal
right;
And step by step, since time began,
We see the steady gain of man."
The revelation of the truth of being, which Christian Science has brought to humanity, lifts thought above the sordid phases of the carnal mind, with its selfish desires and pursuits, its limited views and expectations. Quietly, but unmistakably, our inspired Leader's revelation of Truth is being felt throughout all lands, and is permeating the thoughts of mortals and purifying their standards. To her, whom we honor and revere for her unselfed devotion in establishing this Science of Christ— founded upon the teachings and practice of Jesus—we owe not only our grateful tribute, but also our unwavering allegiance.
In Science and Health (p. 247) Mrs. Eddy writes, "Beauty is a thing of life, which dwells forever in the eternal Mind and reflects the charms of His goodness in expression, form, outline, and color." As we advance in the understanding that things are thoughts, we shall see that what we need is to seek "first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness" —the supremacy of God, divine Mind, expressed in right thought and action. We must forsake the love of and dependence upon matter, and trust and serve Spirit, God, wholeheartedly. We must seek Truth for Truth's sake. Thus in serving God we shall see made manifest the peace, health, and joy, the true sense of comfort and abundance, yea, the grandeur and bliss, which reflected righteousness alone can bring into our lives.
A devout Christian Scientist, spending a week-end with a friend and observing the peace, harmony, and pleasant surroundings which she knew had been gained through many trials and victories, remarked, "This is your demonstration of home." The expression gave food for thought. Truly our environment is the manifestation of our thinking. As the quality of our thinking improves, our surroundings shape themselves in conformity with improved thinking. Instead of bemoaning our lot, let us with prayerful desire for growth in grace set ourselves busily and happily to improve the quality of our thinking.
Humanly speaking, our demonstration of supply seems to depend upon opportunity and our ability to earn and receive proper income. But from whence does income really come, and by what means? It may well be said that income is the incoming of right ideas into our consciousness—the incoming of the qualities and attributes of God expressed in our daily living—and this by realizing our God-given right, as sons and daughters of God, to reflect and express His intelligence, wisdom, judgment, activity, power, and love. All such qualities increase our ability to succeed, and sooner or later express themselves in our outward manifestation of income.
As our thought and motives are imbued with the spirit of Truth, the old tendency to come down to the level of want, woe, or scantiness is lifted. There may be, however, times when even earnest workers, through stress of conditions or lack of wisdom and spiritual understanding, seem able to demonstrate from day to day only enough to meet bare necessities. At such times the demonstration of just enough should be received with gratitude.
However, because of his awareness of the infinite goodness of God, with whom there is no meagerness or lack, the active Christian Scientist should not find himself held long in such conditions. He knows that the master Metaphysician demonstrated his right to abundance, and expressed throughout his life the highest standards even in human affairs. When, at the marriage feast, he provided wine, which is symbolical of "the inspiration of Love" (ibid., p. 35), and which in its spiritual sense is so much needed, it was the best wine there. When he healed the sick, they were made completely whole. When he fed the five thousand, it was with the fullness of provision and with an abundance left over, regarding which the utmost thrift was recommended in his request, "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost."
Through the many vicissitudes of daily living the Christian Science student pursues his way, holding aloft his standard of thinking and pressing forward to the high goal of spiritual perfection which was the true impetus of our Leader's life purpose. Thus will her promise found in "Miscellaneous Writings"(p. 235) be fulfilled: "Hungering and thirsting after a better life, we shall have it, and become Christian Scientists; learn God aright, and know something of the ideal man, the real man, harmonious and eternal. This movement of thought must push on the ages: it must start the wheels of reason aright, educate the affections to higher resources, and leave Christianity unbiased by the superstitions of a senior period."
