At the beginning of a great undertaking, such as the construction of a large dam, a long bridge, or a high building, all those associated with the work, from the one who turns the first spadeful of earth at the ground-breaking ceremonies to the one who performs the last finishing touch, are inspired with confidence. Aeronautical engineers design and build an airplane, which they expect to be able to attain a speed of a thousand miles an hour or even more; and throughout the time of their activity they maintain confidence in the ultimate success of the legitimate undertaking.
Confidence should be understood as natural assurance or a firm conviction of the truth or reality of a fact. Confidence in God, His love, power, and infinite goodness, has its rightful and indispensable place in the healing activity of Christian Science. In the study and practice of this Science one finds in the Bible and in the writings of Mary Baker Eddy the spiritual facts of being clearly revealed.
The textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, proclaims the true nature of God, explains His essence and allness, and shows Him to be the only cause or creator. The spiritual universe, including individual spiritual man, Christian Science declares is a compound idea, composed entirely of the substance of infinite Spirit, the one Mind, God. Man thus understood is found to be in exact accord with the description of man as set forth in the first chapter of Genesis, where he is declared to be the likeness and perfect image of God.
