Editorial June 22, 1918 Issue

"Joy cometh in the morning"

William D. McCrackan

Whoever desires heaven must abandon sorrow. Joy is natural. It is of God. There are no sad saints, for whosoever is sad is separated from God. To attempt to be sorrowful in God's kingdom would be like insisting upon starvation in the midst of plenty. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Joy is first to greet the one who receives the healing of Christian Science. Old scars of sorrow are wiped out, sickness is destroyed, smiles take the place of frowns, and alertness quickens the step of the weary searcher for truth. This practical joy entering consciousness straightway starts a Christian Science house cleaning. In this work the beauty of holiness plays an important part, neatness comes into action, color finds harmonious placement, and a normal arrangement of mental activities prevails. No sooner has joy been received than the irresistible desire is experienced to give it out to others. The flower that opens its petals to the light of dawn expresses gladness and gives gladness.

Since joy belongs to God it can never be turned into grief, for God's gifts are as unchangeable as Himself. The Bible makes constant references to joy. After the Jews had rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah urged them to remember, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." The Christian Scientist reconstructing character and health for himself or another finds his strength in this same joy. Isaiah calls upon the waste places of Jerusalem to "break forth into joy." Patient and practitioner restoring the waste places of human consciousness to fertility break forth into joy. Jesus discoursing of the at-one-ment between himself and his disciples through their union with God said: "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

In the Master's life example we find this joy of the Lord constantly expressed. Though little understood by his contemporaries Jesus' real joy was in healing the sick, reclaiming the sinner, entering into the heart of nature, and ascending the spiritual mountain top. Jesus did not possess the material essentials of material happiness; therefore his spiritual joy must have shone out all the brighter. The world's standard of joy is a poor staff to lean upon, but spiritual joy stands the test of eternity. Spiritual joy staves off any injury which might come from malice. A spiteful spirit will outline punishment for others and endeavor to inflict harm, perhaps taking a false joy in so-called retributive justice, but God gives man no such duty. All judgment belongs to God. There can be no joy in revenge, no satisfaction, no profit, no success. Revenge is another name for hate, and loses itself in its own nothingness as a river loses itself in the sands of the desert. Revenge is one of the worst expressions of human character. It indulges in retaliation, spiteful satisfaction in a self-imposed duty. It grinds the joy out of the one entertaining vindictive thoughts and endeavors to suppress and kill the joy of those who show any happiness.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

"Joy cometh in the morning"

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access