There lies in every human heart an ineradicable desire for freedom. Yet the concepts of what constitutes true freedom are so many and varied that definitions of this term would probably differ according to individual ambition, environment, and experience. All would unite, however, in the desire to be freed from the bondage of suffering, from anxiety, sorrow, misfortune, injustice, and poverty.

Throughout the world's history mortals have longed for and sought for a way of permanent release from these ills. The unselfed efforts of noble men and women, of reformers and philanthropists, devoted to this end, are not lost; their labors have alleviated human suffering and have enriched the world.

It has to be admitted, however, that human theories in regard to mankind's liberation from evil have not stood the test of radical and searching inquiry. Nor have material methods and means provided the universal and all-inclusive remedy for physical and mental suffering. Diseases, some of which are still classed as incurable, have increased in name and in type, and oftentimes mortals seem to be the helpless victims of evil happenings, of the vagaries of chance and change.

The way to universal and permanent freedom from evil of every kind was opened up nearly two thousand years ago by Christ Jesus, the greatest Scientist and reformer the world has ever known, who declared to his hearers, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." The mighty and practical import of these simple yet profound words was, however, for centuries only partially accepted by the Christian church. The promised freedom has been taken to refer to spiritual gifts, without practical benefit. But surely such a promise would be of little or no use to those who seek relief from physical suffering.

Indeed, the doctrine which teaches that God's spiritual power alone can redeem sinners from iniquity, but that He has provided material remedies for the healing of disease, may be said to constitute a divided house, where Spirit is not recognized as supreme. Moreover, the theory that God has permitted evil for some good purpose, to be explained in the hereafter, is not satisfying to many sincere seekers for Truth who have no religious affiliations, nor yet to many earnest Christians.

What, then, is the truth of which Jesus spoke? How are we to continue therein, and thus realize the promised freedom? To these questions Mary Baker Eddy, in her discovery and elucidation of Christian Science, has given the complete, satisfying, and practically demonstrable answer. From the inspired teachings of her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," we learn that Truth is God, infinitely good and perfect, omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient divine Love, and that man, in God's image and likeness, is forever free and perfect in his reflection of the divine nature. On page 259 we read, "The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea,—perfect God and perfect man,—as the basis of thought and demonstration." To "know the truth," then, means not merely to believe, not only to have faith in God, but to understand God and His perfect spiritual creation.

The perception of the fundamental facts of being dawns in the receptive thought, not through intellectuality, not through material learning, but as spiritual revelation, which, in thousands of instances, has quickly healed sufferers of some specific sin or disease. To this extent have they glimpsed and proved the truth of Jesus' words and realized the promised freedom.

With this revelation comes also the recognition of the nothingness of evil, which in all its phases is seen to be a fallacy, a false concept of the carnal mind, the supposititious opposite of the one Mind, God. According to Christian Science, evil was neither created nor permitted by God, and has never contaminated the real spiritual man.

Throughout his earthly ministry Jesus proved the truth of his teachings, the supremacy of good and the powerlessness of evil. His perfect understanding enabled him to render void every so-called law of matter, materia medica, physiology, human nature; it empowered him to heal instantaneously sin, sickness, and death, and in his resurrection to rise triumphant from the tomb.

In the teachings of Christian Science the method of Jesus' practice is elucidated, so that all may follow the example of the great Way-shower in demonstrating for themselves, and also for others, the healing results of spiritually scientific thinking. In this way bad habits, false appetites, resentment, selfishness, evil speaking, all the false characteristics of a mortal temperament, fade into nothingness and disappear, sometimes quickly, sometimes gradually, and are replaced by the beautiful spiritual qualities of man's true nature as the reflection of God, including wisdom, purity, gentleness, and love.

The practical results of this spiritual vision and discernment bring to the Christian Scientist not only better health, but a right adjustment of human conditions. These effects are referred to by Mrs. Eddy on page 204 of "Miscellaneous Writings," where we read among other illuminating and encouraging statements: "By purifying human thought, this state of mind permeates with increased harmony all the minutiæ of human affairs. It brings with it wonderful foresight, wisdom, and power; it unselfs the mortal purpose, gives steadiness to resolve, and success to endeavor."

License to think and act evilly, to follow the impulses of self-will, to pursue materiality, is not liberty, but bondage—enslavement to physical sense. All mortals are eagerly desirous and willing to be rid of the pains of matter, but it is helpful to remember that the false beliefs which constitute the Adam man and Eve woman include the pleasures as well as the pains of matter. Both of these, so far as they have been individually accepted, have to be individually rejected and overcome, not through human will power, which is the antipode of God's will, but through consecrated effort in spiritual understanding as revealed in Christian Science. Thus will the mental trek from sense to Soul be shortened and man's complete immunity from evil, his God-given freedom, more quickly realized and proved.

The daily demonstration of the all-power of God, good, and of the consequent powerlessness of evil, is the "good fight" spoken of by Paul in his epistle to Timothy, the warfare whereby students of Christian Science put off mortality, and recognize step by step that which has always been man's eternal freedom in the ever-present but ever-unfolding bliss of divine consciousness.

Though this fact may not have been generally accepted, it is certain that the interest and well-being of one individual extends to the interest and well-being of all. As Christian Scientists continue in the word of Jesus, continue in an increasing degree to understand and practice his teachings, which are now scientifically explained in Christian Science; as they progress Spiritward, heavenward, they are afforded ample opportunity to help and to heal others. This healing ministry is one of the greatest joys in the life of the Christian Scientist.

Individual spiritual regeneration will bring about the healing of the nations, destroy forever the desire for and possibility of war, and usher all humanity into "the glorious liberty of the children of God." Thus will international difficulties, social and economic problems, be solved. Thus will confusion and strife cease, and the nations march to freedom from domination, tyranny, greed, injustice, suspicion, and crime, on and up to universal unity under the government of the one divine Mind. Christian Science teaches how, through spiritualized thinking and living, each one can do his part in hastening this much-to-be-desired and assuredly ultimate result. In concluding her Message to The Mother Church for 1901 (p. 35), our Leader sounds an arousing call which includes the following words and verse: "Christian Science appeals loudly to those asleep upon the hill-tops of Zion. It is a clarion call to the reign of righteousness, to the kingdom of heaven within us and on earth, and Love is the way alway.

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.