Editorial May 6, 1922 Issue

The Aim of the Christian Scientist

Duncan Sinclair

It is well that the Christian Scientist should often inquire of himself what his aim is. To know whither he is journeying makes it easier for him to travel in the right direction. To be aimless is to be rudderless. There is little likelihood, however, of the sincere Christian Scientist becoming either aimless or rudderless; for has he not got a glimpse, at least, of reality,—a glorious vision, maybe, of divine Principle and its universe of ideas; and is not his aim, his constant and steadfast aim, to obtain a far greater knowledge of Principle and Principle's perfect spiritual universe? This aim guides him in his endeavors, helps to support him in his trials, and strengthens him in his divine pursuits.

The Christian Scientist has usually come out of tribulation. Once upon a time, perhaps, he was weighed down by disease or care or sorrow. Probably he had a measure of faith in God's goodness even then. But his faith was shadowy; it lacked the consistency begotten of spiritual understanding. It was not adequate to raise him sufficiently above the material sense of things; and, so, it did not suffice to cure him of his disease or heal him of his sorrowful beliefs. Then, Christian Science came with its marvelous revelation of omnipresent divine Principle, showing him that Principle and its idea, man, are united and inseparable. His faith instantly became illumined; and with the illumination his life began to be transformed, sickness disappearing, and hope and gladness taking the place of care and sorrow.

A beginning had been made. Every Christian Scientist knows how happy is the beginning. Life seems to become entirely different then, because a way has been opened, leading out of the gloom of material sense into the light of spiritual being. But the Christian Scientist soon learns to know, also, that the way is one of right resolve, close adherence to Truth, the enlarging of his conceptions of the divine, the spiritualizing of the affections. On page 265 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy epitomizes the situation in the words: "Mortals must gravitate Godward, their affections and aims grow spiritual,—they must near the broader interpretations of being, and gain some proper sense of the infinite,—in order that sin and mortality may be put off." That is it exactly: the aim of the Christian Scientist must ever be to become more spiritual, by gaining a greater knowledge of the Principle of real being; for by this means alone can sin and mortality be destroyed. That aim he cannot forget or set aside. It is ever with him to inspire him in the battle against the false, material sense of things.

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