Editorial June 29, 1929 Issue

Spiritual Joy

Violet Ker Seymer

Joy is often regarded as the outcome of happy human conditions; but this concept of joy places it at the mercy of mortal and material circumstances. Christian Science, on the other hand, reveals joy as the accompaniment of spirituality, and therefore as independent of human conditions and immune from fluctuation. True joy, or joy in Truth, is the perpetual asset of the spiritually-minded, and their succor in testing times.

In the course of his strenuous ministry, which exposed him to persecution and even danger, Paul wrote, "Without were fightings, within were fears;" yet he also said, "I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation." Spiritual joy, then, gains the mastery over mortal fears and conflicts. Material sense can never be joyous, for its dreams of pleasure or suffering debar it from apprehending spiritual harmony, security, and purity. Christian Science, therefore, awakens in its students the dormant understanding through which spiritual sense is quickened to behold "the Sun of righteousness . . . with healing in his wings."

Lest one superstitiously court suffering as the only means of redemption, it should be remembered that it is not on account of trials and tribulations, but in spite of them, that the Christian Scientist rejoices; and why? Because he has joyfully set himself to prove the omnipotence of God, good, in the overcoming of all that is discordant and unworthy; for as Isaiah says, "With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." Doubt and depression cannot draw from these wells of Truth and Love; but joyous prescience of victory may bring prompt release from error. Therefore joy not only succeeds, but also precedes, each individual demonstration in Christian Science. Spiritual joy and praise should be given precedence, and prominence, in all one's thoughts, motives, and prayers; then error's traffic of false beliefs gives way before joy, the heavenly pathfinder. Since joy, then, is a perpetual characteristic of man as the expression of God, there is no more truth in the suggestion that man is joyless than that he is sick, sinful, or lifeless.

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Editorial
Faith and Works
June 29, 1929
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