Article July 8, 1939 Issue

"Conscious goodness"

ETHEL COLWELL SMITH

FROM early times goodness has been associated with God. David voices the loving care bestowed by the tender Shepherd in the words, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of life;" and Mary Baker Eddy's interpretation of the last clause of this beloved Psalm, to be found on page 578 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," is heartening: "And I will dwell in the house [the consciousness] of [LOVE] for ever."

Now, as then, one of our great needs is to stand firmly for good. We always want others to be good; in fact, we object vigorously when frail mortals indulge in aggressiveness, dishonesty, and selfish aims. It is important to take an inventory of our own thoughts, however, for what pains us in others may not be so obvious in ourselves. We must be that perfect man we preach to others.

Students of Christian Science know that man is the image and likeness of God, good; they can, therefore, continually express courage, gratitude, power, and authority, even in the midst of human confusion or discord. "This is Christian Science," says Mrs. Eddy in " "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 219). "that mortal mind makes sick, and immortal Mind makes well; that mortal mind makes sinners, while immortal Mind makes saints; that a state of health is but a state of consciousness made manifest on the body, and vice versa; that while one person feels wickedly and acts wickedly, another knows that if he can change this evil sense and consciousness to a good sense, or conscious goodness, the fruits of goodness will follow, and he has reformed the sinner."

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