In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 369) Mrs. Eddy writes, "Metaphysics, not physics, enables us to stand erect on sublime heights, surveying the immeasurable universe of Mind, peering into the cause which governs all effects, while we are strong in the unity of God and man." As students of Christian Science we are called upon to prove this statement. The truly strong student is the one whose every act springs from pure, divine thoughts which, as the child of God—conscious of his unity with the Father—he continually reflects. This victorious condition of thought is so at one with God that it remains joyous and serene amid the onslaughts of error, gratefully conscious that to spiritual understanding victory is already assured. In such a consciousness elements of discord gradually disappear, and in their place are found the simplicity and exalted beauty of a truly Christian life.

We shall find that the effort to attain this consciousness is not a wearisome struggle with evil, but rather a gently regenerative laying down of self, and a filling of our heart with the fragrance of love, purity, and peace.

The cry for a less rugged way defeats its own purpose, for it is unconsciously admitting the reality of that which has no existence and seems rugged only because we have allowed ourselves to believe that man is separated from God and is not under His loving government. Let us rejoice that however fluctuating our efforts may be, there is always the continuity of infinite Love.

Christ Jesus made a true and unerring diagnosis of evil and settled the problem of its nature and treatment by destroying it instantaneously whenever it presented itself to his consciousness. Through his understanding of the unity of God and man he knew that sin and disease are unreal and powerless—a human illusion, not an expression of divine Love. We think of Christ Jesus as ever at one with God, and ever about his Father's business, mingling throughout the day with the people, preaching the gospel, healing the sick, and raising the dead. But we catch another view of him as he moved quietly away from the throng at nightfall and proceeded to the mount where, through the still hours of the night, he sought to realize ever more clearly his unity with the Father, and so gained inspiration and strength and guidance for the coming day. How important that we follow his example! These hours of spiritual fellowship and communion are periods of respite from the clamor of material sense; and this quiet consciousness of unity with divine Love is simple, unlabored, and beautiful.

Students of Christian Science find the source of all perfect qualities in divine Mind. They learn that through this spiritually mental progress of reflection, divine thoughts bring them illumination and govern their actions. They also learn, through knowledge of their unity with divine Mind, how to forsake the insecurity of reliance on mortal thought, and how to reflect, thought by thought, the unfailing law of good. Because of this at-one-ment with Mind, there is always freshness of inspiration, which alone counteracts the futility of mortal mind's effort, for divine Mind governs and replenishes its every idea.

Readiness to admit that every true thought is indeed the voice of God speaking to us prepares us to accept God's gift of the listening and hearing ear. Our response to this voice is the dawn of our conscious unity with our Father-Mother God, and this fellowship becomes to us an indwelling power, certain and dependable. In this conscious at-one-ment we receive Love's messages of cheer and guidance, and in turn lift our hearts to God in joy and adoration.

On page 271 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we read, "Christ's Christianity is the chain of scientific being reappearing in all ages, maintaining its obvious correspondence with the Scriptures and uniting all periods in the design of God." This scientific being so wondrously manifested by Christ Jesus again appeared in the life of our beloved Leader, who forged in its chain the golden links of truth, revealing anew man's unity with the Father.

The student who constantly refuses error's mesmeric suggestions, by silently knowing and affirming his relationship with God, cannot be influenced by the arguments of evil. The active utilization of right thinking demonstrates the power and protection of God with us.

Christian Science reveals the simple truth that to take time quietly to wait on God and to contemplate divine qualities to the exclusion of all thoughts of materiality is to bring oneself under the very law of God. Instead of endeavoring to create goodness in one's own thinking and acting, one has only to ponder spiritual ideas in order to find the pure and holy nature of God taking possession of one's consciousness. Is not this "the scientific way" to which our Leader refers on page 411 of our textbook; and is this not the way of instantaneous healing?

A realization of the omnipotence and omnipresence of the Father and of man's at-one-ment with Him causes us to rise with songs in our hearts into the consciousness of a new and joyous life in which fruit bearing is spontaneous and constant. In such union we face the sunrise, the rising of "the Sun of righteousness;" all the shadows fall behind, and we "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

Copyright, 1935, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, One, Norway Street, 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.