Once there were placed before a certain man great opportunities for attaining material success and personal prestige. He needed only to concur in the generally accepted material theories concerning life and follow the path designated and made plain and smooth by the tread of many others. A simple thing, was it not, just to say "Yes" and to be at peace with the world? But this man, Jesus, said "No" and with that "No" and the positive stand which he took for God and His righteousness he changed the entire course of the world's thinking and activity, demonstrating to mankind the living presence of Christ. Through his teaching other men found the courage and inspiration to say "No" to false concepts of life, and Christianity prospered—God was glorified and loved because He was revealed as Love, unchanging and omnipotent Love.
Had these individuals, and many more, met this challenge with indifference, halfheartedly promising some day to look into the matter, the world would have been deprived of the many blessings which their Christly understanding and example have brought forth.
Many centuries passed, and some of the good his Christly example brought to the world was forgotten, notably the healing work he practiced, because it was found easier to say "Yes" to mortal mind. In the nineteenth century Mary Baker Eddy was confronted with the same question: Would she submit to error's decree, the idolatrous suggestion of life and intelligence in matter? Again a clear "No" rang out, and again the foundation of matter's world was shaken. Again we see the course of the world's thinking undergoing changes that continue to unfold good to all mankind, as Christian Science is taught and practiced.
