OUR inspired Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, has defined "angels," in part, as "God's thoughts passing to man" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 581), and Christ Jesus spoke of "the angels which are in heaven." It is readily seen, then, that it is in spiritual consciousness, man's true dwelling place, that the angels or heavenly qualities and thoughts are entertained.

Most people hold ideal views of home. To be homeless is looked upon as a grave misfortune. The teachings of Christian Science, however, show that essentially home is in the mental realm, as are all useful and beautiful qualities and possessions, and that no one need be homeless. The young, the mature, the lonely ones, the family — all may have a home, a place where angels may be entertained.

As through the study of Christian Science thought is spiritualized, the concept of home is lifted measurably above the category of mere human institutions, and is sanctified by the realizing of the truth about it. Home is first and foremost a place of protection, affording affectionate companionship or sweet solitude. With an understanding heart our dear Leader, in speaking of "nature's rich glooms," has written in "Christian Science versus Pantheism" (p. 3), "Loneness lacks but one charm to make it half divine — a friend, with whom to whisper, 'Solitude is sweet.'" From her teachings we learn that even where human companionship is lacking, this seeming void may be filled with joy through spiritual understanding. The awareness of angels, "God's thoughts passing to man," fills any seeming vacuum, furnishes a sweet sense of spiritual companionship, and makes possible the realization by everyone of a richly equipped, heavenlike home anywhere, and, by virtue of learning the secret of unceasing prayer, at all times as well.

Since heaven is the acknowledged token of God's omnipresence, a heavenly harmonious condition can exist only in the realization of His presence. This understanding makes heaven — home — readily, instantaneously, . and universally available. Is not this revelation a wonderful boon conferred upon men through our inspired Leader's elucidation of Christian Science?

Few homes are founded from purely selfish reasons. Generally they are founded with loving forethought and the intention of furnishing comfort for loved ones; and a home, rightly founded and maintained by holding in consciousness the true concept of God and of man, manifests an atmosphere which reflects the divine, and in which all entrants are comforted and uplifted by reason of this unselfish love. On page 454 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes, "Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action;" and in the preceding sentence we read, "Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way." All those who with right motives seek to maintain a home in accord with Christianly scientific demands may expect to be blessed with inspiration and illumination as to the best way in which to accomplish this; blessed also with thoughts that, like angels, soar above the material into the spiritual realm; and likewise blessed with the accompanying strength and freedom whereby to express these right motives in their daily surroundings. Farther than that, they may be led into ways of increasingly greater usefulness and service, as they look to Love for the unfoldment of greater opportunities to bless others.

Home-makers, with the care of a family, who seek to actualize in experience a home which worthily exemplifies the spiritual concept; who begin each day with the "Daily Prayer" from the Church Manual (Art. VIII, Sect. 4); who take care to give precedence to the things of "the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," endeavoring to let Him govern their daily concerns, are doing a great work. Do we not frequently hear it said that more consecrated homes are needed, in order that worldiness may lose its attraction? This appeal finds an echo in the hearts of earnest Christian Scientists. It is in the home that young citizens are reared; it is here that their virtues should be formed, their education augmented, pure religion inculcated, their conscious resistance to evil cemented, love for the good and the true cultivated, and the impress made of each individual's responsibility in the proper maintenance of a sanctified home.

A sacred charge thus devolves upon the home-maker. At the post of duty one may "touch and handle things unseen" and holy. Healing thoughts may be firmly taken hold of, and wisely dispensed.

Through an understanding of the truth, we may be assured that evil is impotent to cope with good; that inharmony is debarred from a home of "united hearts and hands," where the participants are happy in the consciousness that God alone lovingly governs all. Such constructive thinking rules out inactivity and want. In an atmosphere of love that reflects divine Love, self-interest loses its seeming importance. Trifles, which are sometimes the cause of much irritation and unpleasantness, are reduced to insignificance. Differing human proclivities and erstwhile annoying traits in others lose their magnitude as self-importance dwindles and drops off, and the truth in the apostle's statement, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; . . . charity never faileth," is recognized and practiced.

In a home where, in the spirit of Paul's earnest advice to the Philippians, nothing is done "through strife or vainglory," where each one lovingly considers the effect of his action on the interests of others, where speech is wisely governed and the Golden Rule observed generally, and where good qualities, which reflect God, are cherished in thought and action, visible evidences of good will are encountered. Upon such a broad platform of spiritual truth may be reared a home expressive of true spiritual beauty and utility, of heaven-bestowed comfort — a place where home folk and guests may abide in harmonious well-being. Children and youths brought up therein will feel a growing responsibility to guard it from evil entrants, knowing that the home is under the reign of God's perfect law.

Yet it must be remembered that even while an ideal home may partake of heavenly qualities, in which health, harmony, success, happiness, helpfulness, and loving hearts are found, the temptation to rest in this accomplishment as a sufficiency of bliss for the present time must be withstood, inasmuch as it remains only a stepping-stone toward the final demonstration of life in God, Spirit. Mrs. Eddy admonishes (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 287), "Be faithful over home relations; they lead to higher joys." This teaching is supported by the inspired words of John, "God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God."

Copyright, 1932. by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.