Article December 8, 1934 Issue

Staying in the Kingdom of Heaven

GORDON V. COMER

ONE of the difficult things in our experience, it seems, is to remain on the mental heights which we sometimes reach in our work in Christian Science. If one were to credit the testimony of the physical senses, he might be tempted to believe that there is a law of extremes in operation which swings one to a low ebb after one has reached a great height; and yet we know that there is no truth in such a belief of reversal. In fact, one who, by reason of right thinking as taught in Christian Science, has lifted his thought even for an instant far above the testimony of the physical senses, cannot return to just the same low state which he has left behind. "An improved belief cannot retrograde," says Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, on page 442 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Nevertheless, even the most consecrated workers in Christian Science are awake to the need for greater success in this realm of endeavor—that of consciously remaining in the kingdom of heaven.

Christian Science teaches that heaven is harmony. Before one can reach heaven, he must think harmonious thoughts; and if he wishes to remain therein, his thinking must be held steadfastly to the harmony of being.

Although every human illustration used to explain a scientific truth is subject to its limitations, the following, within such limits, may be helpful. Let us suppose that we are standing by a small pond, into which we cast two objects, each about the size of a baseball. One is made of cork, the other of iron. The cork remains on the surface of the water, while the iron ball immediately sinks to the bottom. Even though a strong wind is blowing and a hard rain is falling, the cork ball gently moves about on the water. We say that because the cork is lighter than water and because iron is heavier, the one floats and the other sinks. May we not say that the individual whose consciousness is buoyant in childlike faith, joyous in the expectancy of good, and who is steadfastly striving to know the truth that only good is active, is in a better position to ride over the waves of mortal mind or error than is he whose consciousness is heavy with materiality, burdened with the baggage of pride, self, sin, and fear? We must rid ourselves of the earth weights which would claim to drag us down or hold us back in our journey Christward. Unburdened of them, to some extent, even though appearances may still be to the contrary, we shall find it easier to remain in a harmonious state of consciousness.

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