Article December 13, 1919 Issue

The Attainment of True Happiness

ALBERT M. PETERS

History is full of accounts of the struggles of mankind for betterment. Down the ages both individuals and nations have sought, yea, even fought for what they considered better conditions, only to awaken to the realization that when one ideal had been reached, another of greater desirability would present itself; or perhaps to find that even the state of affairs which seemed most promising, when attained had lost much of its promise. It is, however, undoubtedly true that the motive underlying all this turmoil, both individually and collectively, is to attain that state of existence which mortal man designates happiness, a state of which there are perhaps as many concepts as individuals. Inasmuch as these struggles are still going on in the world about us, is it not evident that the way to true happiness has not yet been generally understood? Even those who through God's revelation of Christian Science have seen a little farther than many others, and have commenced to claim their sonship with God, perhaps feel at times they are a long way from this heaven within.

On page 57 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy says: "Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love."This is truly an inspired statement and a source of great encouragement to the sincere seeker for that only which is good. Happiness being spiritual, it certainly is not difficult to understand that there is but one way to attain it, and this way is by putting on spirituality. Even after this statement has been accepted as true, however, the cry goes forth from many a searcher: "But how can I be more spiritual? What shall I do to hasten this growth, so that I may obtain this good and be at peace?" As in taking a journey we not only keep our destination in view but also carefully plan and take each step of the way, so in our journey Spiritward not only must we honestly and whole-heartedly desire spirituality but we must as well cultivate spiritual thinking in its more simple modes, and gradually attain the ultimate, which will of necessity follow if our work is done faithfully in so far as we apprehend it.

Now true spirituality is not a seeming unto men to be spiritual; it is not a special gift from God to one, or a few; neither can it be fully recognized by material mindedness. It is the vital, living Christ-nature given to all alike, perhaps seen only in secret by our heavenly Father, but manifested to mortal apprehension by an influence for the greatest good to surrounding ones, by kind, thoughtful deeds, and by the healing of sin and sickness. Mrs. Eddy in the sentence previously quoted has given to those mentally alert a definite way to traverse. Note she says, "born of Truth and Love." Is it so difficult a task to accept that only which originates in Truth and Love, synonyms for God? Most surely all thoughts and purposes which come from God lead to one thing—spirituality and its resultant happiness. Without thought man cannot be, and it is not difficult to test every thought and find its origin before we accept it and put it into action.

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