Article June 26, 1909 Issue

COURAGE

ADA B. FOSTER

ALL through the Bible we are enjoined to be courageous in confronting evil, in whatever guise it may present itself. God's command to Joshua, "Only be thou strong and very courageous," is reiterated throughout the Scriptures. Christ Jesus said, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

The courage which animates the true Christian is based upon and upheld by his invincible faith in God. In Christian Science this faith ultimates in a demonstrable understanding of God as omnipotent good. Confidence in omnipotence grows with the student's expanding realization of the spiritual man's oneness with the Father, as Principle and idea are one. As thought is held faithfully to this true concept of the real man's relation to divine Principle, we find fear fading out of consciousness, and with it the temptation to yield to discouragement, which is the devil's (evil's) subtlest and most frequently used weapon. The Christian Scientist, however, defeats its purpose by persistent, unremitting effort. for error cannot deprive him of his reliance on the all-power of divine Love and of man's God-given dominion over all untoward earthly conditions.

The one ambition of the true Christian Scientist is for the attainment of perfection. This attainment is possible only through orderly scientific processes. The student must ever abide by the law of God as unfailingly revealed to the outreaching thought which grasps and demonstrates the verities of being through the operation in consciousness of spiritual law. Failure to maintain continuity of courageous effort is the result of accepting the testimony of the carnal mind,—of looking "at the things which are seen" instead of looking steadfastly upon "the things which are not seen." We sink to the level of the lowered gaze, stumble and fall. "Where," we are asked in Science and Health (p. 264), "shall the gaze rest but in the unsearchable realm of Mind?" A Christian Scientist has no reason for discouragement, no matter what the seeming odds against him. Even if he fall, shall he not rise again—"stronger than before the stumble?" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 10). The psalmist says: "Though he fail, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." We have also the reassurance, "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me." In Philippians Paul writes, "He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

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