Articles

Spiritual individuality is very precious, and its cultivation and expression are important to the Christian Scientist. To understand the nature of individuality and progressively to demonstrate it in daily life can therefore be an occupation of major interest, as well as an inspiring and joyous pursuit.

Christ Jesus , the world's greatest spiritual teacher, recognized the truth of the Scriptural prophecy, "They shall be all taught of God" ( John 6:45 ), and so he endeavored to lift the thoughts of his students out of the deadness of narrow mortal beliefs into the glow and warmth of true, spiritual inspiration. He met them on their mental level and raised them toward his spiritual stature in accordance with his statement, "Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

The solution for problems of inharmonious human relationships, ranging from what are called personality clashes to global warfare, is revealed in Christian Science. This solution will never be found, however, so long as the emphasis is on trying to mold a better humanity out of the imperfect clay of finite, mortal personality.

" How is a mistake to be rectified?" Mrs. Eddy asks in an article in "Unity of Good" ( p.

One is faced with a critical decision when he has to decide whether to rely wholly on Christian Science or on medical aid. There is no in-between position available.

Jesus ' words, "By this shall all men J know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" ( John 13:35 ), serve to remind us that love is the Master's criterion for discipleship. In his first Epistle to the churches, the beloved disciple John said these things of import about love ( I John 4:12-18 ): "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

"The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" ( Isa. 35:10 ).

Every Christian Scientist is eager to demonstrate, that is, to show forth in his daily life, the divine qualities which he has by reflection of God and which give him his true individuality. He has learned that as he looks within, defines the reflected qualities, and relates them to God, their eternal source, he finds that the errors of material sense are corrected and that their harmful effects in his thinking and living are gradually annulled.

One of the mental states an individual must guard against most is staleness —a lack of freshness in his point of view, a lack of interest in his work, in his activity, and, most especially, in developing his understanding of God. Staleness implies that there is a lack, something missing from one's attitude or something lacking in one's outlook.

The importance of progress is well recognized in the manufacturing field; without it products soon become outmoded, and retrogression sets in. Progress is even more necessary in the mental realm; without it activity and thought soon become limited, stilted, and barren of true accomplishment.