Article July 31, 1920 Issue

Nothing Too Good To Be True

HELEN J. ALLEN

A common remark, even among professing Christians, when some very desirable possibility is contemplated, is this: "Oh, I'm afraid that is too good to be true." There is a tendency to feel that, while there is a beautiful land somewhere where our dreams may come true, it is necessarily very far removed. One of the helpful truths which Christian Science is teaching is that since God is good and ever present and since man is His expression, that which is good is true and is brought into our personal experience just in proportion as we put ourselves under His law. Thus it is proved that nothing is too good to be true. We must never, however, think of error as a real power. We must refuse to allow it to seem to build a fence of limitation, within which we are supposed to remain as prisoners waiting for death to admit us into a land of greater freedom and possibilities. Error is ever ready with its claim that it is powerful, and it would have us feel that that power is directed against each one of us personally, more than against any one else. It may even admit that God is good, that Christian Science can heal, and that many by using Christian Science have been healed and are helping others to experience healing. "But," it may argue, "You yourself cannot demonstrate this great truth." Steadfast resistance to such temptation, however, entirely overcomes it. All thought of personality is lost sight of, and one is simply conscious of the allness and goodness of God and of man's ability to reflect Principle.

The writer has found that while many of her earlier aims have become possible of realization, the study of Christian Science has given her the wisdom to see that what was not really good can no longer present itself as attractive. Other aims are being realized so beautifully and so wonderfully, not because she has consciously put forth any effort to bring them about, but because while she has been busy about the "Father's business" they have just naturally worked out. Mrs. Eddy tell us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 360), "You are bringing out your own ideal," and in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 204), "The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the spirit of Truth cleansing from all sin; giving mortals new motives, new purposes, new affections, all pointing upward." In the following paragraph she continues: "By purifying human thought, this state of mind permeates with increased harmony all the minutiæ of human affairs. It brings with it wonderful foresight, wisdom, and power; it unselfs the mortal purpose, gives steadiness to resolve, and success to endeavor."

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