Article June 9, 1934 Issue

Our Standards

[Written Especially for Young People]

CAROL E. BOOTH

To the average young person of today the task of finding and adhering to the right standard of living may seem difficult, but to the one with a knowledge of Christian Science to guide him the way is made easier. In a world of fluctuating standards seemingly governed by custom and human education, Christian Science, the law of divine Principle, stands as the perfect rule or measure by which we may judge varying standards which are presented to us, and choose the right ones.

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 50), "We do believe, and understand—which is more—that there must be a change from human affections, desires, and aims, to the divine standard, 'Be ye therefore perfect.' " This, therefore, must be our standard—to be perfect, as our Father-Mother God is perfect, and to allow no wrong thought or evil suggestion to gain entrance to our consciousness and thus be made manifest in our lives. Human standards change; they cannot be depended upon, but vary with every whim of mortal mind. Not so the divine standard, which holds man forever upright by the invariable law of Principle.

Today it would seem that custom and general consent decree that it is the normal and social thing to smoke and drink, and that those who do not comply with this decree may be regarded as prudish, narrow-minded, a hindrance to the gayety of social functions. This belief is of the carnal mind and has no truth to uphold it. It is a lying suggestion which would deceive us into believing that happiness, friendship, and popularity are dependent on a lowering of standards from the Christly model to the temporal and impure. Let us ask ourselves honestly if it is prudish to seek to express our true individuality, which knows nothing of sin or temptation, but is naturally beautiful, forever expressing good? Is it narrow-minded to reflect God, and so refuse to indulge in evil? Can we take joy from others by being witnesses to the fact that joy is spiritual? Are we not really bringing happiness to others by helping them to see that true joy lies in expressing our divine nature?

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