Article November 1, 1930 Issue

God's Kingdom Is at Hand

BESSIE L. BIGNALL

No more vital message has ever been imparted to mankind than that of Christ Jesus when he said, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." But during the nineteen centuries which have passed since the Master gave utterance to that marvelous fact, the so-called Christian world in general has gone on expecting to attain celestial joy and peace only after the experience termed death.

The teachings of Christian Science shed a radiant light upon this subject, revealing the way whereby all mankind may attain, even at this present time, a measure of happiness and peace far transcending that of finite mortal sense. In the Glossary to "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy defines "heaven" as follows (p. 587): "Harmony; the reign of Spirit; government by divine Principle: spirituality; bliss; the atmosphere of Soul." In order to become conscious of this harmony and bliss, one must begin to open his thought to every least manifestation of good around him. He may begin with the appreciation of a sunbeam's golden light, the sweet song of a bird, or the beauty of grass and tree. As thought grows more spiritual, we learn that God is present to bless us; that in His kingdom there is an abundance of health for all His children; that law and order reign; that there is in reality no evil, nothing to work iniquity, for the spirit of righteousness is all-pervading.

Mortals have a tendency to become bored by the monotony of their daily round of activity, whether great or small. Daily associations may seem commonplace, devoid of the Luster of freshly inspired interest. And it is not infrequently believed that relief from the dullness may be obtained by journeying amid new scenes and by forming new friendships. This looking into the distance for happiness, change, satisfaction, ultimates in accepting the false belief that heaven itself is afar off. Again, the Master declared, "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." The peace which stills undefined yearnings is the reward of our right thinking.

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