Article June 25, 1938 Issue

Right Mental Atmosphere

LAURENCE A. BUCKLAND

Under the heading "Moral Obligations," the duties of Readers in all Christian Science churches are set forth in Article III, Section 1, of the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy in part as follows: "They must keep themselves unspotted from the world,—uncontaminated with evil,—that the mental atmosphere they exhale shall promote health and holiness, even that spiritual animus so universally needed." This requirement is mandatory to all Readers, but the spirit of this By-Law is also applicable to all loyal students of Christian Science, who, since they study the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly are likewise definitely obligated to keep themselves "uncontaminated with evil."

What is this atmosphere or "spiritual animus so universally needed"? Is it not the understanding that Mind, God, is All-in-all, ever-present, ever-available, omnipotent good; that Life is unchangeably perfect; that Truth is the intelligent source or cause of all that really exists; that in Principle is no deviation from Love; that Soul, Spirit, is the only satisfier of our desires? In Psalm one hundred and forty-five it is written, "Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing."

How may we acquire the understanding of God, through which we may maintain the mental atmosphere that will "promote health and holiness"? By realizing our spiritual receptivity, that is, our ability to receive of Spirit, of the intelligence which inspires, inspirits, gladdens, cheers, encourages, and invigorates our growth; which revives, refreshes, and restores our drooping faith. Then, when we study the Lesson-Sermons we shall gain the inspiration needed to maintain the purity of our consciousness.

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