Perhaps at no other time in the history of our nation has the necessity for the building of Christian character been more important than it is today. Is it not true that something far greater than mere physical strength and material methods is needed to combat the forces of evil so rampant in the world?
Someone may ask. How can one believe in the old standards of right and wrong, when no force seems to count but that of armed strength? Those who love God, good, will answer. The old standards of right conduct are still the present standards, since God's laws never change.
Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, has written in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 28, 29): "There is too much animal courage in society and not sufficient moral courage. Christians must take up arms against error at home and abroad." Those who are students of Christian Science have learned how necessary it is to "take up arms against error," and that the weapons needed for this warfare are spiritually mental. Therefore they constantly strive to reflect God's qualities, to see the nothingness of evil, to rebuke its claim to power, and to realize the allness of God. Faith in God, good, together with obedience to the guidance of divine Mind, furnishes them with sure weapons against the suggestions of mortal mind, one such aggressive suggestion being that evil is as real as good, and that moral courage is of no avail.
To "take up arms" at home may be considered to mean that each individual must examine his own thoughts and correct them; that he must so live that his own consciousness becomes more and more purified; that his conduct be above reproach, and that he prove himself to be a man of moral integrity. Christian Science shows us that this high goal is possible of attainment.
The work of self-correction comes first, and then one is better prepared to "take up arms" abroad. The latter requires that we earnestly pray for the salvation of all mankind; that each of us help his neighbor to see the unreality of evil and to know that God, good, is supreme. As more and more people become conscious of God as divine Principle—one of the seven synonyms for God which Mrs. Eddy has given us—they will discern the spiritual fact that man is now the pure and upright manifestation of God, Mind's complete reflection.
Christ Jesus had a deeper understanding of the true, spiritual nature of man than had any other. He knew that man expresses only God, good. How can we, his followers, prove that each one of us is God's reflection? When we seek the spiritual understanding which Christian Science gives, and are armed with it, we go forward with confidence and joy, proving our identity as children of our Father-Mother God. We know that only as we express God's qualities can we consciously reflect divine Mind and so prove our sonship.
Christian Science teaches that it is mortal mind's resistance to the spiritual idea which must be handled, and that the least submission to the false claims of error can only bring discord. There is great need to be alert at all times. How else can we defend ourselves against error's attacks? In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 253) Mrs. Eddy gives this terse and loving counsel: "Dare to be faithful to God and man." To be faithful and true to God, one must obey His laws. To be true to one's real self, to the man made in God's image, is an inspiring pursuit. It lifts one high above the demands of mortal mind.
We find an abundance of inspiration in the Bible and in Mrs. Eddy's writings, and through the correct application of Christian Science we are enabled to face difficult problems without flinching, and through God's dear love to overcome them. When we are faithful to our highest understanding of divine Principle, we are at rest, and we may be sure that God is very near, leading us on.
Since man is the reflection of Mind, divine Principle, man is actually invincible. Error cannot conquer man. The Greek philosopher, Epictetus, wrote, "Who, then, is the invincible man?" And he declared, "He whom nothing that is outside the sphere of his moral purpose can dismay." Surely one has nothing to fear when one dares to do right, when one's decisions are based on the teachings of Christian Science. Principle can make no mistakes.
In her writings Mrs. Eddy refers to the Puritans and to their high standard of religion. The moral fiber of the Puritans on questions of justice, veracity, and integrity is well known, and has been an example to men through the years. The beautiful qualities which were characteristic of Mrs. Eddy, her devotion to God. and her gift of Christian Science, which reveals to human understanding the omnipotence of Mind, are inspiring her followers today. The spirit of independent thought which was hers, being the outcome of her dependence on Mind, the nobility of her nature, and her unfaltering loyalty to a high ideal led her on through human difficulties which to mortal sense seemed unsurmountable. The opposition of mortal mind confronted her continually; but hers was a brave heart, and never for a moment did she lay down her arms, for when she took up arms against error, she did not turn aside from her great purpose of showing men how they may be healed of sin, sickness, and sorrow. Back of the energy that led her to success were self-discipline, a high sense of duty to God and to all mankind, and her practice of those fundamental virtues which the Master. Christ Jesus, tells us of in the Sermon on the Mount.
Could Mrs. Eddy have received the revelation of Christian Science had she not been a faithful follower of the Master's teachings? She had the courage of her convictions, and she knew that God was with her. Her integrity of character cannot be questioned.
The Psalmist declared, "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." Through spiritualization of thought, all may realize the truth of these joyous words. When a severe testing time comes, we must know that a choice between accepting evil as real or rejecting it as unreal must be made. Then is the time to know that ''power belongeth unto God." Let us turn in moments of trial to God. and seek only His guidance. The physical senses cannot help us, since they give only an account of themselves; they tell us nothing of lasting value or of what is true and real. However tried and pressed we may be, if we are true to the "still small voice" we have nothing to fear. Jesus overcame all attacks of error by listening attentively to God's voice and obeying it. God requires our undivided allegiance, and through obedience to the all-wise divine Principle, we can help to raise the moral standard and to hold the banner of Truth high above mere human theories and demands.
The qualities that make men great are not mere astuteness, skill in handling human affairs, or self-exploitation. They are the eternal simplicities of character which are grounded in the spiritual truths of the Bible and in Christian Science. These truths, when faithfully observed, unloose material fetters and give those who are thus made free a sweet sense of peace and security which cannot be shaken by disturbed world conditions. Even when one has just glimpsed the fact that mere physical strength does not promote happiness or success, he has gained something of a priceless possession.
Nothing can divert one from following a straight course when one's motives are based on Principle. One will vigorously deny the claims of error and proceed calmly on his way. Consistent right thinking and right acting are virtues which cannot be fully estimated. They always bring their own precious reward.
The need for moral courage has mounted to tremendous importance. Let each ask himself. By what standard do I regulate my conduct? Not by that which is expeditious; not by that which is mere human policy; but by that which conforms to the demands of divine Principle. This must be our standard, our way of living. Precious beyond all other things is moral integrity. Man is complete, pure, and upright, and the way is open for all men to prove this.
The new student of Christian Science soon learns that liberty and true freedom are primarily mental, and that he must depend unreservedly on the divine Mind. He will learn that God's creation is wholly good; that it has never been less than perfect, and that it will always be perfect. He will learn, too, that the real man, God's idea, is perfect, reflecting only good. Each day, as he advances in spiritual understanding, he will prove this for himself. In Psalms we read, "The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory." Strength is spiritual. So. when problems present themselves, we can through Christian Science conquer them, and, conquering, be strong.
The availability of God, divine Love, in present-day difficulties, is indeed cause for deep gratitude. A poet has said:
"Love leads you safely through
The seething waters of dark fear;
Love lifts and strengthens you."
One may ask today, What lies ahead? May not the answer be, A wider sphere of activity and usefulness? Let us resolve to build on eternal values, since only that which is good is real, and only the good can survive. We can be sure that nothing will be permanent which is not based upon fair dealing, upon integrity. Our Leader has given us a profound statement of fact on page 122 of Miscellany. It is, "That glory only is imperishable which is fixed in one's own moral make-up."
