Article August 22, 1925 Issue

Rejoicing

ESKEW HAROLD ARCHER

A Dictionary defines "rejoice" as, "To feel joy; to experience gladness in a high degree; to have pleasurable satisfaction; to be delighted;" and surely such a state is desirable and commendable. We should feel a keen sense of happiness when beginning the study of Christian Science, since it has made it possible for all to be joyously happy; its simple rules, obediently obeyed, always increase one's knowledge and utilization of spiritual good.

The Bible abounds with admonitions to give expression to joy, there being numerous such encouraging references in its sacred pages. The Psalms are full of this sage advice, which has uplifted humanity for generations, and will continue so to do in an increasing measure as more of good is unfolded to human consciousness. The Master, Christ Jesus, rejoiced in the spirit and said plainly that no one could take our joy from us. He prayed earnestly that all might be in complete accord with God, whose being "is infinity, freedom, harmony, and boundless bliss," as our sagacious Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, so succinctly states on page 481 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Paul continually advises daily rejoicing. All leaders and teachers down the ages have known and stated the beneficial results of reviewing the goodness of God; while each one can recall numerous instances of benefits received through giving voice to gladness.

But, some one may ask, how can we be glad when evil appears real, persistent, and present? How can we rejoice when we are sick, or out of work, or poverty-stricken, or unloved? These are pertinent inquiries; and they are satisfactorily answered when we come to realize, through the teachings of Christian Science, that not one of evil's claims to validity is real; that we can begin here and now to disprove them and put them out of daily experience, for it has been done numberless times by an ever increasing host of people as they rejoicingly go forward. We can rejoice that our God, our dear Father, never made evil, or anything that could create evil. "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good."

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