Article April 14, 1928 Issue

"The goal of goodness"

FLORENCE L. MORGAN

Christian Science reveals the divine fact that there is one Mind only, and that this Mind is infinitely good. It also teaches humanity the way to realize and to utilize this truth which makes free, by proving the false and ephemeral nature of so-called mortal mind, together with all its claims of sin and disease. This premise, namely, the infinite oneness and goodness of divine Mind, once having been even in part perceived and accepted by the honest seeker, the immediate demand of Truth is for proof and progress, which go hand in hand and cannot be separated. Gradually, with much gratitude and joy, it is borne in upon the student's thought that Christian Science is unfolding to him an ideal of goodness in daily living heretofore unknown and undreamed of. Indeed, it is raising his hope and endeavor towards the high goal set by our Master, Christ Jesus: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

God is revealed in Christian Science as divine Principle, Life, Truth, Love, Spirit, and man as reflecting and expressing all the Godlike qualities. Up to his highest understanding of God each one must reflect in his daily life the divine Mind in a steadily increasing ratio, if through honest and persistent endeavor he would furnish proof of that understanding. There is no other road to follow, no other way to attain the happiness, peace, and perfection so earnestly desired and sought by mankind. "He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber," declared Jesus, adding, with simple significance, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Jesus therefore clearly indicated that only by practical proofs of goodness and spirituality, in accordance with the teaching and example of the great Master himself, can his followers in this or any other age maintain a steady advance in their pilgrimage out of the bondage of material beliefs into the joy and freedom of true spiritual existence.

On page 233 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, the following paragraph occurs: "The ages must slowly work up to perfection. How long it must be before we arrive at the demonstration of scientific being, no man knoweth,—not even 'the Son but the Father;' but the false claim of error continues its delusions until the goal of goodness is assiduously earned and won." Assiduously! Mark well the word; for just in proportion to assiduous pursuit of the goal of goodness is the progress of every Christian Scientist made manifest. There is no other way to gain more understanding of God and His truth, no other or easier road by which we may reach the spiritual heights occasionally glimpsed while still on our journey. The human mind, so called, would be satisfied with human endeavor, striving to conjoin righteousness and bliss with material hopes and aims, dreaming still in an outward show of devotion, with wordy declarations of good; it would even cite busy activity in church work as a sure evidence of righteousness, while leaving untouched the tares of human belief—sin and matter, fear and doubt, selfish ease, apathy, and hypocrisy. Every sincere student of Christian Science knows it is in his own consciousness that the work of regeneration and salvation must not only begin, but ever continue, until every tare is uprooted and every thought brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Faithful application of the truth in daily thinking and living results in the student's active and continuous progress, increases his joy, and insures his well-being in every particular, in accordance with his heavenly Father's plan for him.

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