Article March 25, 1939 Issue

Joy and Spiritual Riches

ANNA STANTON LAY

The Bible contains many admonitions to be joyful, and many intimations that joy belongs to God's children. Under circumstances which seemed sad, even tragic, Jesus taught his followers to rejoice. Near the end of his earthly career, in an earnest and tender conversation with his disciples, he said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

Paul, later, despite his many tribulations, constantly rejoiced, and urged other Christian to do so. To the Philippians he wrote, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice;" and likewise to the Thessalonians, "Rejoice evermore." Nevertheless, Christians generally have been unable to obey these imperative demands. But as the truth is accepted and understood that "God is infinite, therefore ever present, and there is no other power nor presence" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 471), men begin to realize that they not only should but can "rejoice evermore."

The first apprehension of the glorious truth of the everpresence of God, good, often brings an invigorating sense of joy, a joy so pervasive and beautiful that stubborn beliefs of disease and wrong desires disappear from one's consciousness and experience. Usually, however, the student has to learn that gaining the ability to be always joyful calls for persistent and consecrated effort, for such joyfulness is at once a means toward and a reward for the overcoming of many false beliefs. Mrs. Eddy has said (Science and Health, p. 462): "Whoever would demonstrate the healing of Christian Science must abide strictly by its rules, heed every statement, and advance from the rudiments laid down. There is nothing difficult nor toilsome in this task, when the way is pointed out; but self-denial, sincerity, Christianity, and persistence alone win the prize, as they usually do in every department of life."

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The Open Door
March 25, 1939
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