Editorial July 20, 1929 Issue

The Fullness of Joy

Albert F. Gilmore

The Scriptures abound in the note of joyousness, of joy springing from the depths of true worship. Faith in God, especially the faith based upon understanding, brings joy, the deep-seated gladness which is changeless. The Psalmist found lasting joy in the recognition of God's presence. "In thy presence is fulness of joy," he declared. "At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." And pleasure here is manifestly dependent not upon physical sensation; rather is it the bliss which comes from understanding the deeper things of God.

Jeremiah foresaw the restoration of Israel and the advent of the Christ, whose holy mission should turn mourning into joy. Christ Jesus assured his disciples that he instructed them in the things of Spirit, that his joy "might remain" in them and that their joy "might be full." What was this joy which the Master claimed as his own, and which he so greatly desired to share with his closest followers? Was it not the joy, full and stable, which arises from the sure knowledge of God? What, perchance, could more definitely instill lasting bliss than the understanding of God, the loving Father, and of man as His offspring, permanent and perfect? It was his extraordinary faith in God imparted by the Nazarene to his followers, which has taken on a new meaning in the revelation of Christian Science; not blind faith, but faith backed by understanding and buttressed by demonstration, which brings deep-seated joy. It is often remarked that Christian Scientists are peculiarly joyous; that they are characterized by the appearance of happiness that is above the events of the day; that remains even when they are confronted by what are usually termed untoward circumstances. Not infrequently question is raised as to the reason for their manifest joyousness. The complete answer is found in the teachings of Christian Science.

The same realization which brought joy to the holy men of old, to Christ Jesus and his followers, to the spiritually illumined of every age, is again bringing the joy of the Spirit to those who envisage the heavenly kingdom. Paul declared the fruit of the Spirit to be "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." The same fruits, limitless and priceless in their capacity to bless mankind, are to be gathered to-day by all who will accept Christian Science in the letter and spirit. No joy ever experienced by the spiritually minded is denied us in this present day. In fact, through the revelation of Christian Science the understanding which underlies the perfect joy is made more accessible than ever to all humanity. How blessed may we be in this search for the changeless joy, the joy which "cometh in the morning"!

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