Onward and Upward

ELSE L. A. BUCHENBERGER

In all her writings Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, points out the absolute necessity for each one to turn his thoughts away from a contemplation of materiality to a higher basis of thought—spiritual ideals. In this way one can attain that "peace of God, which passeth all understanding," that is, harmony in the home, in business, and in general human experience.

To be able to say, "Peace, be still," to the myriad forms in which error seems to express itself is the goal toward which mankind is constantly moving. Actually, everybody wants good, though the comprehension of what constitutes good differs according to the mentality of those who seek it. Many, in spite of their wealth and success, are restless and fearful. To others, struggling with problems of lack, disease, or other discord, the prized and sought-for possession of good seems ever out of reach.

How inexpressibly grateful we should be that through Christian Science all may learn how to gain dominion over such conditions, because God never created them! Mrs. Eddy's teachings all point thought away from the self-centered personality commonly called "myself" to the true spiritual selfhood. Christian Science points to the great "I AM THAT I AM," God, perfect Being, infinite Mind, as the source of spiritual reality.

As we lift our thoughts higher and higher into the pure realms of brotherly love, selflessness, and an understanding of God's power to govern and care for His creation, the outlook before us necessarily becomes clearer and fairer. To look forward and be grateful are two important factors in our spiritual ascent. To look backward at past trials and tribulations would veil from us the present good with its joys and victories. Divine blessings are ever with us, and these we cannot count too often.

Persistently one should banish all error from his consciousness, replacing negative thoughts with affirmations of Truth, and making the best use of all opportunities and talents. This process of eliminating from our thinking all that is unlike the child of God, of clinging to the truth of our being and not neglecting the gifts that are ours, is the progressive path which leads onward and upward. Thus we rise to the recognition of our true, Godlike selfhood and discover the kingdom of heaven within us.

Man, God's image and likeness, has only Godlike qualities; he inherits intelligence, harmony, joy. Such gifts are not at the mercy of any lower power. God's child is not touched by the summons of error. Knowing this, we can prove that dominion is our spiritual birthright.

On page 69 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy writes: "The Principle of Christian Science is divine. Its rule is, that man shall utilize the divine power." As Christian Scientists we must, therefore, exercise this dominion and utilize this heaven-bestowed gift, in order that we may receive the resulting blessings. All the riches imaginable would avail nothing, if they were not used. To sit with folded hands, making no attempt to withstand the claims which fear, ignorance, or circumstances may seek to impose upon us, would mean that we are not applying our understanding of the power of God. Christ Jesus, the master Christian faced every claim of evil and mastered it, and he is our Way-shower.

As in human ways no high goal can be attained, no achievement won, without sufficient study and devotion, without honest efforts, so does our utilization of God's great gift, the Christ-power, require our consecration, our profound study of the spiritual truths in the Bible, as explained in Christian Science. Thus are we enabled to demonstrate the truth in healing mankind of sorrow, sin, lack, and disease.

The spiritual understanding which Christian Science brings of God as our Father-Mother, as infinite, tender Love, ever present to bless, lifts us into the spiritual realm, where perfect peace abounds. There God's angels, true thoughts imparted by God, divine Mind, guard the heavenly entrance. Fear, limitation, and disharmony of whatever nature, vanish into nothingness in proportion as we express the divine nature. There is nothing to prevent the uplifted thought from moving forward along the progressive pathway.

Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, says (Science and Health, p. 598), "One moment of divine consciousness, or the spiritual understanding of Life and Love, is a foretaste of eternity." Through spiritual understanding we may experience this "foretaste of eternity" today.

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