The history of civilization holds the records of many men and women who have dared to stand for the truth as they saw it, and in so doing have been instrumental in the establishment and development of freedom, justice, law, and order in human society. Standing thus for right and progress, they have successfully defied tyranny, dogmatic false theology, and the limitations of prevalent theories of physical science; voyaged across uncharted seas in frail ships; pushed forward the frontiers of civilization; and opened up new continents and new lands, where freedom of speech and worship could be established.

True courage, based upon spiritual understanding of the nature and character of God, is requisite to solve the problems that confront mankind. Mortal standards shift and change, from one extreme to another. False teachings, such as those of atheism and agnosticism, subtle suggestions sent out through the agency of press, radio, and moving pictures, of a confused and lax code of values and morals, challenge the attention of thinking people daily. Each one of us is given abundant opportunity for the practice of true courage in the work of rejecting and refuting such errors.

Christian Science teaches that moral courage is a spiritual quality, and therefore available at all times. It is not dependent upon physical conditions, and is not a special characteristic of the few.

Physical or so-called animal courage is not to be depended upon. Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, pp. 28, 29), "There is too much animal courage in society and not sufficient moral courage." Through the understanding of Christian Science and the recognition of man's spiritual nature, the false concept of courage as merely physical is replaced by the concept of true courage. Intelligent understanding of God's allness begets true courage. Such understanding rejects the untrue, under whatever guise presented, and steadfastly upholds that which is based upon divine Principle.

Christian Science teaches that Principle is absolute, constant, and omnipotent, and that man, created in the image and likeness of God, is governed by Principle. The Bible abounds in examples of spiritual courage and achievement; and to it we may turn unfailingly for inspiration and help.

Through his understanding of the omnipotence and omnipresence of God, Moses fulfilled his great mission. With tireless courage and perseverance, inspired by an abiding trust in God's goodness, Moses led a nation out of slavery; freed it from the despotism of Pharaoh; guided this great multitude of men, women, and children through the Red Sea and the wilderness to the entrance of the promised land. "Certainly I will be with thee," God had promised him, and Moses found the promise fulfilled.

Daniel, confident of God's protection, defied the law of the Medes and Persians, "which altereth not," and maintained his spiritual integrity unflinchingly. His confidence was proved well founded when he emerged untouched from the den of the lions into which he had been cast. Young Queen Esther braved the wrath of her husband, the king, and the possible loss of her royal estate in order to save her people from persecution and destruction. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of the city of Jerusalem, facing opposition and envy, sure of God's infinite power and love to help and save.

Elijah, Elisha, and, greatest of all, Christ Jesus, overcome seemingly insurmountable difficulties through the power of spiritual understanding. And in our own time Mary Baker Eddy was so obedient to Principle that she was able without shrinking to present to the world the revelation of Christian Science.

We can never be deprived of good in any measure by daring to stand on the side of Truth. Mrs. Eddy declares in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 183), "He is bravely brave who dares at this date refute the evidence of material sense with the facts of Science, and will arrive at the true status of man because of it."

A young Christian Scientist just out of college was looking for employment. He had been well trained, he was capable of doing good work, he was eager to give of his very best, yet there seemed no place for him in the business world. Discouragement, bitter disappointment, and doubt crept into his thinking. Then came the realization that this was no time to lose his faith in God, this was the time to use his understanding of Christian Science with more assurance and gratitude than ever before. So he set to work diligently to gain a clearer concept of "the true status of man." Shortly afterward he was invited to be the guest one evening of a man who was a large employer of labor, and in whose employment it seemed there might be work for him, also. The other guests were drinking and smoking. Suggestion whispered that his host might feel insulted if he refused his hospitality in this respect, and thereby he might lose any prospect of obtaining the job he seemed so greatly to need. He knew, however, that his standard of conduct was based upon Principle, and therefore not lightly to be discarded. He quietly refused the proffered liquor and tobacco, little realizing at the time that this action attracted the attention of his host, and later obtained for him the greatly desired position.

To all of us come moments of decision, testing times of allegiance and service, when we need courage to stand for Truth. We can always be sure that divine Love is ever present to guide and protect, and that God's law governs. "Dare to be faithful to God and man" is our Leader's clarion call to right action (Miscellany, p. 253); and the assurance, "The right way wins the right of way" (ibid., p. 232), is proved in the manifestation of good.

"Dare to be faithful to God and man"! What a challenge to mankind! What glorious opportunities it gives one who accepts it, to be of service to humanity! Courage based upon the understanding of the allness of God and of man's at-one-ment with Him is true courage; and in the Scriptures we read, "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."