In the human mind there is often evidence of a longing to be remembered by posterity. Kings and presidents are automatically immortalized by having permanent places in the history books. Artists, inventors, writers, architects, and many others are exempted from oblivion by leaving tangible evidence of their existence and usefulness in the world.
But the majority of human beings may think they have reason to feel that although their lives are good and happy, they are not producing particularly imposing material monuments to their accomplishments on earth, and they may be concerned about it. (Though some who have children do derive some comfort from the thought that through these offspring they may be remembered by later generations—at least as a twig in the family tree.) They may unconsciously feel driven by the urge to accomplish or build something that humanity considers outstandingly memorable so that their names will not be forgotten.
The Bible comments on this human urge to be remembered. One early account in Hebrew history tells of God's promise to Abraham that he would make him "exceeding fruitful" Gen. 17:6; through a son of his wife, Sarah. And it records this message from God to the captive Jews in Babylon who at the time were without much prospect of leaving a remarkable record: "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end," Jer. 29:11; or, as it is translated in The New English Bible, "I alone know my purpose for you, says the Lord: prosperity and not misfortune, and a long line of children after you."
The human longing to be remembered is not abnormal. It hints at the existence of the eternal and legitimate quality of immortality that is a natural part of everyone's true being—immortality both in the sense of having a spiritual identity exempt from death, and of being individually notable enough, or fulfilling a sufficiently valuable purpose, to be permanently enshrined in consciousness.
According to Christian Science, immortality, in both these aspects, belongs to every individual, spiritual offspring of God. It is an integral part of each one's compound substance of right ideas. Every one of God's sons and daughters is an indestructible manifestation of eternal Life. Every one is a unique representative of Soul, in whom the sublime spiritual qualities of Deity are individually expressed. The identity of each is radiant, actively imparting its reflected goodness in a manner that is not duplicated in the whole of creation.
God, divine Principle, expresses His own infinite nature in infinitely various ideas, all of which are essential to the full representation of His being which constitutes the actual, spiritual universe. Not one of these ideas is unimportant or expendable, for if a single one were lost, the manifestation of God would be incomplete. Deity would not be totally expressed. Each has a vital place, a special niche, in the universe of Mind; the uniqueness and importance of its identity is never in question, and it can never be overlooked.
Mrs. Eddy says: "The universe reflects God. There is but one creator and one creation. This creation consists of the unfolding of spiritual ideas and their identities, which are embraced in the infinite Mind and forever reflected." Science and Health, pp. 502-503; And elsewhere, "Man's individual being can no more die nor disappear in unconsciousness than can Soul, for both are immortal." ibid., p. 427;
If these true, spiritual facts were more generally understood, mankind would largely be relieved of a haunting, though often unrecognized, mental pressure to erect a mortal monument to itself. Ambition would be purified of pride. Decisions would be made and work undertaken more often on the basis of selfless service than on the thought of building up one's reputation humanly—a desire which eventually must fail in the manner of Babel. "Go to," the families of the sons of Noah had said, "let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." Gen. 11:4;
Yet these people were scattered, and their city came to nothing. The desire to erect a material monument by which they could be identified was their downfall. They are remembered—but rather for their lack of wisdom than for their virtues. Thus experience teaches a lesson that immortality is not promoted through human means but through the expression of the spiritual qualities of eternal Life and Love.
In truth, man, the spiritual offspring of God, is always immortal. He is exempt from death, and his identity is maintained in Mind through divine law. He does not have to struggle for recognition but is known and valued throughout eternity for the essential part he has in completing the representation of the infinite creator, divine Principle, according to God's purpose for him.
Understanding these facts of divine Mind, humanity would cease believing the false suggestion that one must build "a city and a tower" in order to make a name that will endure. They would recognize that enduring satisfaction comes only from demonstrating one's true status as an immortal idea of God through the expression of spiritual love and intelligence as Christ Jesus did. And they would gratefully know that the only thoughts and accomplishments to be perpetuated in true consciousness about anyone are those that bear witness to the spiritual, real nature of his being in God's likeness, and these are established forever.
"Life is eternal," writes Mrs. Eddy. "We should find this out, and begin the demonstration thereof. Life and goodness are immortal."Science and Health, p. 246; The only means by which we can be assured of experiencing immortality is by demonstrating it. Each good thought and spiritual quality we manifest, each right deed we perform, is a stone laid in the building of the consciousness of immortality—the building which is "eternal in the heavens." II Cor. 5:1.
