UNWAVERING DETERMINATION

The word "determination" is defined by one dictionary authority as, "Direction or tendency to a certain end." To maintain at all times and under all circumstances the Christlike perception that is conscious only of the perfect, sinless, spiritual man, God-created and Godgoverned, is the "certain end," or goal, of every earnest student of Christian Science. This means striving with unwavering determination and zeal to attain the altitude of inspired thought where dawns the vision of the eternal Christ.

It is to this transcendent height that our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, beckons us to follow her when she states on page 200 of the textbook, "Science and Healthw with Key to the Scriptures": "St. Paul said: 'For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.' (I Cor. ii. 2.) Christian Science says: I am determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him glorified."

Steadfast determination is always a commendable quality when enlisted in the performance of any legitimate objective, provided due consideration is given the rights and sensibilities of others. It immediately loses its altruistic character, however, when employed in subservience to the dictates of the human will.

Wherever matters of democratic procedure or collective action are involved, punctilious care should be taken that this admirable quality of determination is directed wisely. Opposition to progressive proposals should not be brusquely swept aside without careful and friendly consideration of motive, purpose, and the possible results of these opposite opinions. Such an attitude would savor of intolerance, cast wisdom to the winds, and thereby place the sponsors of the progressive proposals in the same questionable category as those supporting a baseless and unreasoning opposition.

The endeavor to induce others to accept and support worthy propositions by audible argument alone, no matter how logical, is more apt to incite the human mind to stubborn resistance than to arouse a willingness to be convinced of their merits. The aggressive forms of resistance to righteous action occasionally arising in collective bodies or deliberative assemblies are seldom healed by audible debate or vocal argument. Refuting error's claims aloud is oftentimes beneficial in dealing with personal problems, but the same procedure sometimes causes definite harm in matters of collective action. There, as in the preparation of a garden, the mental ground must first be enriched with love, humility, and a clear realization of the omnipresence and omnipotence of Principle, the basis of all true government.

Whether considered individually or collectively, evil claims to be tenacious and unyielding. The important thing is to see to it that we may always be found arguing, audibly or inaudibly, on the side of Principle and not of mere personal opinion.

In defense of a wavering, feeble attempt to overcome some false appetite or unwholesome habit, it is not unusual to hear the statement, "I could make a more determined mental effort to overcome this habit, but I don't want to use will power." The answer to that is that the human will, whenever exercised in an effort to free us from some form of materiality, becomes thereby subordinate to the divine will, the motivating power of all good works, and inevitably brings with it greater spiritual growth. Thus the false claim of sin is healed by a determined resistance to the carnal appetites, while turning to the sovereign power of Truth and Love to gain a victory over evil.

On this subject, Mrs. Eddy wisely admonishes us, on page. 206 of the Christian Science textbook: "The power of the human will should be exercised only in subordination to Truth; else it will misguide the judgment and free the lower propensities. It is the province of spiritual sense to govern man."

An indefatigable and determined stand must be taken against the subtle, sinful arguments of the erring human mind; otherwise, the spiritual hopes and aspirations of the seeker after Truth will be suppressed and temporarily submerged.

Christian peoples in almost every nation are facing the great red dragon of anti-Christ, breathing threats of hatred and unreasoning determination to destroy all things spiritual. The qualities of justice, purity, peace, and brotherly love are being brushed aside by the armies of ruthless dictators on the pretext of national interests. The most formidable sword in the hand of the people of the nations so grievously assailed is consecrated prayer, animated by those qualities so necessary for victory, self-sacrificing zeal and unity of purpose. Thus given intelligent direction through prayer, true determination will produce constructive results that are of immeasurable benefit to the race and to the cause of Truth.

For one to gain dominion over the alluring suggestions of sin, as well as over the alarming phases of sickness, a vigilant defense of unconquerable determination must be maintained in consciousness, based upon the truth of spiritual being. We take our first steps toward this goal by carefully studying and thoughtfully pondering the Bible and the writings of Mrs. Eddy. Then by diligent application of the rules to the problems presenting themselves for solution, step by step we win the prize of spiritual dominion.

Wrestling with pain and the fear of death, the writer once in his experience stood wavering between the decision whether to resort to surgery as a temporizing solution or to continue with Christian Science treatment. The realization that to accept the material method would be a backward step in his growth Spiritward awakened in him the determination to see it through with Christian Science. That decision sealed the victory over the false claim of error.

A loving Christian Science practitioner directed him to turn to the study of the Appendix in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy. Like a light flooding his consciousness, there came the clear vision of the spiritual body of Church, and of man as a spiritual idea or member of that body, whole, harmonious, and free. As this angel message penetrated his thought and gained the ascendancy over the mists of error the struggle ceased, and freedom from pain and fear immediately followed—a never-to-be-forgotten experience! The truth of the Apostle Paul's statement was literally confirmed, "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."

Thus it was perceived that the diligent determination, individually and collectively, to overcome problems in the home, church, and world, by the members of the Church of Christ, Scientist, in all nations, will undoubtedly bring a renewed influx of heavenly light and power as on that day of Pentecost when the apostles "were all with one accord in one place" and "did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people."

And as there were then "added to the church daily such as should be saved," so too will the healing and saving message of Christian Science find glad reception in the hearts of men made ready for it today, all over the world, fulfilling that prophecy proclaimed in the Christian Science Hymnal: