Article August 23, 1919 Issue

In the wide fields of right doing there is nothing to fear

The Christian Science Monitor

In the wide fields of right doing there is nothing to fear. The simple desire to walk uprightly enjoys perfect freedom. Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer of Christian Science, says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 514), "Moral courage is 'the lion of the tribe of Juda,' the king of the mental realm. Free and fearless it roams in the forest. Undisturbed it lies in the open field, or rests in 'green pastures, ... beside the still waters.'" Right desire has, as it were, the open sky over its head and the open path before its feet. To have one pure aim, even if it is but one, among many doubtful human tendencies, gives a man an insight into the true value of right doing and its reward, because in that one instance he finds himself unassailable. He may tremble at the prospect of an attack upon the remainder of his desires, but on the one which is based on Principle he cannot be moved. Therefore he learns that Principle and its idea are indestructible.

Whether in men or nations, the fear of loss or disadvantage is always due primarily to the notion that they can lose something that of right belongs to them, or that they may gain something by strategy that by right belongs to some one else. By right, men or nations possess nothing that can be lost. It takes, however, some knowledge of divine Principle to understand this fact, for the recorded history of the material world appears to show that nations and men have by violence or strategy taken from others their lawful possessions, and have appeared to profit largely in the process. It is recorded in spiritual history that the psalmist saw the end of these things; he saw "the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree." Later he "sought him, but he could not be found." Mortal are not far-seeing, therefore the end of wrong-doing is not as apparent to the ordinary man as it was to the observant psalmist, who at the same time showed the indestructibility of Principle and its idea, for he marked "the upright," and found that the "end of that man is peace."

The teachings of Christian Science, understood, remove entirely the old sense that has attached a mysterious warning to the use of these examples, as though flood, or fire from heaven, came down and consumed the wicked man. It sets forth instead the scientific fact that what suffers destruction and failure is the wrong desire and intention, the desire that goes out, without God, to satisfy the lusts of the flesh. Such desire leads men and nations to meanness and excesses of all kinds, and works for its own destruction. Rivalry, jealousy, and envy are blind. Men and nations indulge in these petty meannesses without becoming aware that these things are the things that injure the user in the using. Christian Science is the word of God, that discerns and uncovers the thoughts and intents of the heart. With uncompromising truth it shows the futility of the hope that men or nations are becoming really great unless their hearts are being made generous and just.

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In the wide fields of right doing there is nothing to fear

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