Article April 18, 1931 Issue

True Expression

FRANK SADDLER

It is natural for individuals to express in their actions their state of thought. It is the general attitude of society that these actions should constantly tend to express an improved state of thought, although prevalent human theories are not agreed as to how this may best be accomplished.

A term used to signify a phase of human enlightenment is "self-expression." It is sometimes used in speaking of a perfectly normal characteristic; but the idea of self-expression is associated in modern times mainly with the development of the human mentality. It generally means self-assertion, and indicates an acceptance of man as an intelligence separate from God and an ignorance of Him as the only Mind that man can have.

It is the significant that in all her published writings on Christian Science Mrs. Eddy has referred only once to self-expression, and then as a characteristic of God, infinite Mind. She uses the term "self-assertive," indicating that it is a characteristic of human will-power, or mortal mind. Evidently our Leader thought little of the term "self-expressed," except to denote the expression by God, the one Ego, of His own perfect attributes. Man, as the individual spiritual idea of God, reflects his creator. If man expressed himself, he would also be a creator; but the Bible fully establishes the fact that God, Spirit, made all that was made, and is the eternal source of all being. Expressing God is the sole function of His idea, man; and certainly everyone should endeavor to realize his infinite capabilities in this respect. True expression, however, involves a recognition of God as the origin of all.

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