Article February 11, 1928 Issue

Claiming Our Birthright

FRANCES LESLIE HARRIS

In our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 591), Mrs. Eddy defines "man" as "the compound idea of infinite Spirit; the spiritual image and likeness of God; the full representation of Mind." Surely this spiritual image and likeness of the all-loving Father cannot have more or less than its full share of good. Man is heir to unlimited blessings; and he who is manifesting abundant good is merely claiming man's rightful heritage. Paul recognized the fullness of man's sonship when he wrote to the church at Rome: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God;" and our Leader, on page 68 of "Retrospection and Introspection," assures us that the ideal man "reflects the infinity of good."

Yet, at times, how difficult it seems for men to claim and enjoy man's birthright of boundless good! And how prone they are to cry out when a brother seems to them to have more than his share of good! Such an outlook receives a merited rebuke from Jesus in the parable of the prodigal son. When the elder brother, full of anger, envy, and self-justification, failed to see his own blessings and refused to rejoice in his brother's, his father lovingly admonished him: "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." If men would only let the scales of jealousy, self-pity, and fear drop from their eyes, how clearly would they perceive, as Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 13), that "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals."

How, then, are we to go about clearing our mental vision in order that we may recognize man's birthright of infinite, omnipresent good? In her Message to The Mother Church for 1901 (p. 9) Mrs. Eddy says, "He of God's household who loveth and liveth most the things of Spirit, receiveth them most." Thus, he who spiritualizes his thought, who knows his real selfhood as the offspring of divine Mind rather than of matter, discerns most clearly and accepts most naturally his birthright of infinite blessings. He sees that the bounty of divine Love is his through reflection. He recognizes his God-given dominion over all the earth. Conscious of this dominion, he asserts his claim to health, prosperity, and contentment. He knows that disease, lack, or discouragement cannot rob him of his heritage; for they are negations, devoid of authority or power. Such a mental state enables him to rend asunder the fetters of fear and doubt by which he has been limited. And thus shall he that overcometh inherit all things and become in truth the heir of God.

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