The Author of Man

JESSIE L. REMINGTON

In the writings of our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, are to be found references to Deity as the author of all that is good and true, that is, of real substance, and other references giving, conversely, a clear statement concerning that which is not authorized by God. Study along this line with the help of the Concordance to the textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, is highly enlightening.

Among the lessons unfolded during such study is that some degree of spiritual sense is requisite in order to gain cognizance of the real nature of God; for God cannot be understood by a spiritually unenlightened state of consciousness. Acceptance of the truth of the allness and oneness of God is the basis of demonstration. Thus equipped, one perceives that there can be but One who is author of all.

"God is the only author of man," writes Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health (p. 29). "God is not the author of mortal discords," is to be found in the same book (p. 231). "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace," says Paul in I Corinthians. These statements are not open to argument any more than are the pointed parables and word pictures of the master Christian as he taught spirituality in his exposition of the nature of God and man. Jesus knew—and he stated his knowledge for the benefit of all humanity for all time—that God is Spirit and man is the image or likeness of Spirit, therefore perfect.

Through intensive study of the Word of God, our Leader perceived that man must be appraised spiritually, not materially, since God, Spirit, is his Father, or author. She proceeded in this holy appraisal, and gave to humanity her textbook, in which it is clearly shown that according to our Way-shower, Christ Jesus, there is but one author of man, that is, Spirit, and that therefore there is spiritual authority for the existence of man. Jesus said, "Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." In Science and Health we read (p. 31), "We have no record of his calling any man by the name of father;" and it is to be remembered that he spoke of "my Father, and your Father." Clearly, man is eternally spiritual; for the Father-Mother God has eternal dominion over man.

If God were the author of mortal discords, sin and sorrow would exist lawfully; but God is "of purer eyes than to behold evil," and cannot "look on iniquity." According to false material belief, man has deteriorated into a kind of man subject to discord; and this one is thought to be the man of God's creating, since mankind generally believes that God is responsible for both good and evil. Christian Science teaches that there is no authority for imperfection —no author, originator, or creator of a kind of man, or counterfeit of the real man, or of a fallen state of man. Intellectuality uninspired by spiritual understanding bears false witness as to the origin and status of man. Therefore, progress is delayed in listening to material sense, which has no spiritual power to bestow, no intelligence to express.

But there is a divine influence present in every human consciousness which, through development and right guidance, leads to an unshakable understanding that God alone is the Father of man. Thus a true conclusion is reached, namely, that there is divine authority for man's being; and the acceptance of this spiritual truth as to man's origin and nature is of great practical value to mankind. The student of "the deep things of God" may well say with David: "Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip."

How far-reaching for good is the acknowledgment of the fatherhood of God! What charm such knowing sheds on all the minutiæ of our experience! This glow of Spirit lifts one above sordidness and despair and brings better health and morals, longer life, a greater degree of harmony in all things deemed needful for the human race. "He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye." Thus in Deuteronomy is beautifully depicted the loving care of the author of man.

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