Editorial April 1, 1933 Issue

Justifiable Optimism

W. Stuart Booth

Christian Science, being the restatement and unfoldment of Christ Jesus' teachings, with the reinstatement of Christian healing, naturally promotes hope, happiness, and health with those who accept and abide by its teachings; hence its adherents frequently are referred to as optimists, and the designation is correct in the same way and for the same reason that Christ Jesus and Paul were optimists. Theirs was not a blind hope and trust in good and an ignoring of evil; nor is the optimism of Christian Scientists of that type.

The following words of the prophet Isaiah, pertaining to Christ Jesus, have long been stressed to Christian believers by their religious instructors: "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;" and the result has been that the Master's own expressions of cheer, courage, and confidence have not been properly appreciated. Surely the true sense of joy must have been possessed by him who was so acquainted with God, omnipotent Truth, omnipresent Love, omniscient Mind, that through his ministry the sorrowing were made to rejoice, the blind were enlightened, the sick were healed, the sin-bound were released, and the dead actually were restored to life and usefulness. Truly such a harvest of good deeds must have rejoiced the heart of the humble Nazarene and encouraged him in completing his appointed task of conquering every material belief. Thus it may be said that genuine optimism is a Christian characteristic which should be felt and expressed by all those who understandingly follow the great Way-shower.

Mrs. Eddy's discovery and declaration of the Science of Christianity have made it possible for men to gain the spiritual understanding of God and His laws whereby they may follow the Exemplar in the way he commanded. Christian Science reveals God, Spirit, as the Father-Mother of man and of all that is real; as divine Mind expressing true ideas; as divine Love giving all of good, impartially and continuously; as intelligent Principle governing His perfect creation harmoniously. This revelation of spiritual reality involves the consistent conclusion that sin, discord, disease, death, limitation—in fact all phases of evil—are nothing more than errors of the so-called human mind.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Items of Interest