Article September 23, 1922 Issue

Individuality

J. H. BENSON

MRS. EDDY writes in "Pulpit and Press" (P. 4), "Is not a man metaphysically and mathematically number one, a unit, and therefore whole number, governed and protected by his divine Principle, God?" Since God is unchanging, His image and likeness, man, must forever reflect this divine Principle. In such reflection there can occur no loss of individuality through sin, sickness, or death. God's man is always governed and protected by the only power there is or can be. In the same paragraph, Mrs. Eddy further says: You have simply to preserve a scientific, positive sense of unity with your divine source, and daily demonstrate this. Then you will find that one is as important a factor as duodecillions in being and doing right, and thus demonstrating deific Principle." The scientific understanding of man's individuality brings healing. The realization that nothing can rob us of our identity quiets fear and destroys the belief of chance and fate.

Suppose you are in business for yourself and apparently with limited financial backing. Hard pressed by your creditors, you suddenly awake to realize that you are really backed by the strongest financial institution in your city. Your fear is gone, your creditors are reassured as to your standing; and your business is saved. Now the true state of each child of God may be likened to this; for we all have our infinite God, good, to depend upon. He protects us and guides our course; and there is nothing for us to fear.

Suppose, again, that each mortal has been assigned a number, beginning with the first record of a mortal, Adam, as given in the Bible. Then each person would receive his individual number in the order of his appearance. Without doubt the numbers would now be beyond computation, and yet each person would have his individual number; so that Julius Cæsar's identity would never be confused with that of Napoleon Bonaparte. God's method of maintaining the individuality of each of His children is no less exact, and is perfectly applied. In Matthew we read: "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." When a number is erased from a board, that number is not destroyed. So the seeming death of a mortal cannot change the real Life of man. One no more loses his identity by this change than does the number by erasure from the board.

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