Editorial September 15, 1928 Issue

The Divine Standard of Perfection

Ella W. Hoag

In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 50) Mrs. Eddy declares, "We do believe, and understand—which is more—that there must be a change from human affections, desires, and aims, to the divine standard, 'Be ye therefore perfect.'" In thus declaring for God' one universal standard of perfection, our beloved Leader has presented for our demonstration a rule which if kept clearly in thought cannot fail to bring all men into the peaceful and harmonious relationship which belongs to them as the children of God.

The Christian Scientist recognizes that the steps to be taken in reaching this goal are many, and that they are not always smooth or easy of ascent. Many an obstruction has to be removed, and frequently with great labor, so filled is the human consciousness with beliefs in all sorts of mistaken standards. So much is this the case that it sometimes seems as though each individual has his own individual standard for each individual activity in both thought and deed. Men are found setting up these standards each for himself, naming them inviolable, and then attempting to measure the acts of their fellow-men in accordance therewith.

Even Christian Scientists often believe, when they have reached a conclusion in regard to right and wrong, that that conclusion is the one by which all men must be judged. They do not realize that their present highest concept of good may be only a faint glimpse of good; and that although they themselves must be true thereto, and thus take what is to them an advancing step, their neighbor must be left free to work similarly for himself. When we set up our own incomplete standards and are tempted to measure others by them, or when we look to the standards of others to form our own, we are always on unsafe ground.

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