Article October 2, 1920 Issue

Living in the Sanctuary

JAMES C. THOMAS

Divine metaphysics reveals that Life is Mind, the perfect consciousness, and that the man God made is the likeness of Mind. Consequently, it is only as men comprehend the Science that is Christian that they really begin to live. For then only are they drawing near to Life, or God. Individuals whose outlook is bounded by the material senses, and whose thinking deals only with the testimony of those organs are far from Life and are assuredly included in that class to which Christ Jesus referred when he said, "Raise the dead." Truly is the student speaking when he says, "Christian Science is all-in-all to me," for it brings him to Life, it leads him to Principle, without at least a glimpse of which he is not really living at all. And he attains more of Life as he pushes ahead into the unseen joys of Christian Science—unseen and uncomprehended my material sense. And as he advances, Life is there with all its abundance of good and stainless satisfaction.

Mrs. Eddy has described in "An Allegory" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 325) the "so-called living" whom "the Stranger," the Christ, proceeding through the world, comes upon but avoids: "Somewhat disheartened, he patiently seeks another dwelling,—only to find its inmates asleep at noontide! Robust forms, with manly brow nodding on cushioned chairs, their feet resting on footstools, or, flat on their backs, lie stretched on the floor, dreaming away the hours. Balancing on one foot, with eyes half open, the porter starts up in blank amazement and looks at the Stranger, calls out, rubs his eyes,—amazed beyond measure that anyboby is animated with the purpose, and seen working for it! They in this house are those that 'provoke Him in the wilderness, and grieve Him in the desert.' Away from this charnel-house of the so-called living, the Stranger turns quickly, and wipes off the dust from his feet as a testimony against sensualism in its myriad forms."

What a man wants above all is Life, God. Christian Science, then, which unlocks the door to Life, must have the first place in his affections and never be given second position as regards any person, object, or circumstance whatsoever. Thus is seen the correct interpretation of the phrase "God First"—Mind and its idea as all. Assuredly, Christian Science is infinite, unlimited. Its message is available in the remotest corners of the earth, and the form in which it is met with is boundless in veriety. Individuals everywhere who understand and hold to the truth that God is the Supreme Being, or Principle, in the sense of being the one omnipotent power and reality and the only Mind, unopposed by any supposition of matter, understand divine Science to the extent of their knowing. The complete statement of this Science is found in the works of Mary Baker Eddy, its Discoverer and Founder, and all may have recourse to them, the truth, purity, and potency of which have been fully demonstrated.

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