Throughout history the human mind has repeatedly made the mistake of thinking of the partial good achieved as an end in itself. It has tried to erect into systems various forms of improved belief, hoping thereby to achieve a permanent basis of happiness for mankind. Such systems have crumbled, condemned by their own inadequacy, but the measure of improved belief in them has remained to make clearer the path pointing towards the kingdom of heaven.
As the Christian Scientist looks about him today, he sees everywhere the clashing and crumbling of human systems; but instead of being disheartened by the prospect, he has every reason to obey eagerly the admonition of Christ Jesus, "Look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Needless to say, this does not mean a hardening of the heart in the face of humanity's desperate needs; it does not imply a hugging to oneself of individual blessings, of a merely personal redemption. It includes a vision of the redemption of all mankind not only from the more easily recognizable forms of evil, such as war, poverty, and suffering, but from the subtle suggestions which would try to make men satisfied with temporary, imperfect solutions of these problems, and thus stave off the day of their genuine and perfect solution.
The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, turns thought gently but decisively away from man-made systems and makeshift answers in her statement (Unity of Good, p. 9), "The talent and genius of the centuries have wrongly reckoned." Continuing she says, "They have not accepted the simple teaching and life of Jesus as the only true solution of the perplexing problem of human existence." Here is a definite guide to the young Christian Scientist who has experienced in his own life some measure of the infinite beauty, peace, and power of the healing Christ, but who may long to know what should be his attitude toward the human systems, the social demands, which confront him in the world today. Take, for instance, the problem which many contemporary students of society see as fundamental, namely, the struggle between the theories of individualism and collectivism. What is the answer to be found in "the simple teaching and life of Jesus" to this hotly agitated problem?
