"LIFT UP YOUR HEADS"

THROUGH the discovery of Christian Science by Mary Baker Eddy, as presented in her book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" and in her other writings, humanity may learn how to lift itself above the mendacious claims of the carnal mind. This Science is saying to men, "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in."

One of the arguments of the false sense of material existence which makes insistent demand for acceptance is the suggestion of depressed energy. This argument of lowered resistance to error at a time of sickness would attempt to thwart restoration to health; at a moment of domestic inharmony would prevent reconciliation; at an hour of business reverses would preclude recovery; and at meetings of church members would endeavor to frustrate expression of the one Mind. The consciousness uplifted to bear witness to the risen Christ may here and now manifest normal well-being, preserve harmony in home relations, ensure commercial security, and forward the progress of church activities.

The Christ, Truth, bids the patient sufferer, languishing in the phantom grasp of disease, which seemingly offers stubborn resistance to his recovery, or which is accredited with being incurable, to lift up the despairing hope to joyous confidence in the omnipotence of divine Love. The Scriptural assurance that God upholds the fallen and raises up all who are bowed down points to the spiritual fact that He never made evil, and therefore cannot know it. And this truth, properly applied, destroys the fear of disease and its manifestations.

Students of Christian Science, striving to awaken from the dark dream of pain and suffering in matter by this process of scientific reasoning.

The remedial method of the Science of Christianity, redolent with overflowing compassion and Christlike sympathy, is buoyant with positive expectancy of victory over error. With benign solicitude and unmeasured tenderness, the understanding of Truth uplifts the heavy heart until the divine unction of spiritual healing anoints it with the oil of gratitude.

Within the sacred boundaries of family life, with its round of homely tasks and daily duties, may be found opportunity to hold thought joyously elevated. In every situation, however trying, one can prove the ever-presence of the one Mind, and say with the Psalmist, "Thou, O Lord, art... the lifter up of mine head." This scientifically maintained outlook ensures freedom from friction by mutual consideration and accords each member of the household individual rights and privileges through the practice of the Golden Rule. The uplifted thought, rising above major or minor differences, and founded upon the spiritual understanding that all ideas of Mind dwell together harmoniously, aids in reconciling estrangements and ushers in amity and reciprocal regard. Through testing periods, comfort and strength to persevere may be gained by a review of previous proofs of the power of the Word in Science.

During dismal days of burdened business, dismay over adverse appearances of finances, employment, and competition, proprietor and employee alike may refresh the wearied capacities by uplifting thought to realize that true activity is under the protection of Principle. In all the realm of the real there is no failure, nor is there any force to intimidate and rob man, the image and likeness of God, of his divinely bestowed dominion. The Father rewards right endeavor; and the qualities of "humanity, honesty, affection, compassion, hope, faith, meekness, temperance" (Science and Health,p. 115) are demonstrable in commercial affairs. Hope, winged with trust in God's righteous government of the universe, including man, upholds faith; and divine justice must ever prevail over unfair tactics or oppressive competition. He who posits thought on the side of God, good, is under the protection of His law.

The harmony of church activities requires of each member the glad and uplifting performance of the duties pertaining to membership, including those of any office to which he may be appointed. No disheartening regrets need attend appointments or elections, and to rejoice in another's progress likewise eliminates depressive tendencies. "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another." Intemperate speech and action at business meetings falls far short of bearing witness to the elevating teachings of Christian Science, which inculcate forbearance and brotherly consideration. The happy word which expresses the true tenor of thought, and encourages friendliness and good will, serves to uplift a membership to the realization of its common purpose of progress and service. Zeal may evidence honest desire, but when expressed as blind enthusiasm, it cannot act as a uniting influence when opinions are at variance regarding an issue. The omneity of Spirit may be realized in the meetings of church, board, and committee, as well as in individual demonstration. Indeed, no one need leave a meeting disheartened. In every hour we can look to God, remembering the words in Job: "The light shall shine upon thy ways. When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person."

For their own progress in times of sickness, domestic trial, business difficulty, church activity, or in any other department of human experience, students of Christian Science may practically prove that thought uplifted in the sphere of spiritual reality will evidence the might of God's omnipotence. Our Leader writes (ibid., p. 505), "Spirit imparts the understanding which uplifts consciousness and leads into all truth."