Article December 12, 1908 Issue

UNAPPROPRIATED GOODNESS

REV. HENRY M. PERKINS.

Through ignorance of the ever-accessible supply, a sense of need is sometimes prolonged. Such was once the experience of a few sailors, who in reply to their signal of distress were told they were in the mouth of the broadest river in the world, and that they needed only to dip up the fresh water and quench their thirst. The treasures of God's Word, as unfolded through Christian Science, are a constant and unfailing inspiration, and point to the divine source of supply, within easy reach of all mankind, while only a small proportion of them are availing themselves of the benefits. The spiritual needs of humanity have been ever the same. Centuries ago Isaiah said. "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness."

Many are now inquiring as to the nature of true goodness, for there are many and varying opinions as to the truth, but only the truth itself is real and permanent. God is the supreme good, and our Leader's favorite text, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," points us to this truth. The importance of knowing man's close relationship to God is shown by these words in Science and Health (p. 275). "To grasp the reality and order of being in its Science, you must begin by reckoning God as the divine Principle of all that really is." With strong realization the psalmist affirms, "God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever." In having the greater good, we surely have the lesser. In laying hold of the Christ life and teaching, we enter upon a glorious inheritance. In viewing man's rich possessions, Paul asks, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" To those who are seeking for harmony with God, the divine Principle of being, the same writer says, "All things are yours."

Since God knows not evil, most surely He does not dispense evil. On the other hand, He is ever dispensing good. Divine help for all human need is ever available, and may be individually appropriated. Otherwise what can be the import and value of all the invitations and promises of the Bible? As we thus take into our thought such affirmations, let us heed the inspired writer who has said, "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward." This realization of the truth is powerful uproot evil and sinful habits, to remove physical pain, to allay fear, and in that very way to affect favorably all outward temporal conditions.

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