The Way of True Happiness

MAURICE MC C. CHURCH

In joy the Christian Scientist is proving in ever-increasing measure the powerlessness of discord to resist enlightened prayer. As recorded in the eleventh chapter of St. Mark's Gospel, Jesus declared, "Verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."

The light which Christian Science throws on Jesus' words shows the imperative need of an understanding of the nature and relationship of God and man, rather than a blind faith. Without the former it may well be impossible for one not to "doubt in his heart;" with it, discord disappears as one recognizes the omnipresence of divine Love and claims the abiding happiness and peace which inevitably accompany that recognition.

How, then, can this understanding be gained? The starting point and basis of demonstration in Christian Science is the true knowledge of God. When the seeker has, in a degree, apprehended the nature of God as the one infinite Mind, defined, in part, by Mary Baker Eddy as "the great I AM; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 587), and when he begins truly to realize that man in God's likeness is the idea of infinite Mind, reflecting God in all His qualities, complete, supported by His law, and surrounded by His love, he has started to ally himself to the power which no discordant conditions can resist.

Christian Science admits no reality in discord of any sort. Our Leader has written (ibid., p. 276), "Discord is unreal and mortal." As it is true that all goodness is in Mind, God, so also it should be recognized that all discord exists only in mortal belief. This truth is demonstrated when, as divine Love illumines thought, affection, harmony, and peace displace beliefs of fear, jealousy, and anger.

As understanding grows, it becomes increasingly clear that there are no obstructions between man and God. Though to material sense discords may tower up on either side, apparent mountains of lack or weariness, they cannot obscure the true light because they are not in the line of light. Upon the right hand and upon the left, before and behind, may loom the beliefs of sickness, inharmony, and sin, but the way of clear spiritual thinking always leads to God.

Should it seem that discord persists and hinders one's realization of his legitimate desire for health and happiness, it may be that his concept of these conditions is based on matter rather than Spirit, divine Principle. Then it becomes necessary to turn toward the goal of Spirit and through right thinking advance toward that goal, content in the knowledge that every human need is already supplied by the Father.

To be ever conscious of man's unity with God; to understand the utter unreality of everything unlike God; to face and to advance persistently toward the goal of Spirit—these demands are all embraced in the one great duty, namely, that of dwelling constantly in divine Love.

Love, tender, pure, immeasurably kind, knowing nothing of resentment, nothing of discouragement, lifts the aspiring thought to the realm of Spirit and is the solvent of every human problem. This standard of perfection is the goal to which leads the way our Master trod. It can never be reached by mortal mind, which claims the ability to think and act from the standpoint of matter. Christ Jesus declared, "I and my Father are one." Through the recognition that the real man, never separate from Soul, reflects God, the way becomes clearer.

In our Leader's inspiring words (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 224), "We should go forth into life with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience; with a keen relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great, and good." This is possible to him whose thoughts reflect God; and in this spiritual love all fear and discord disappear, for not only is he walking with God, but he is realizing that God is the only Life.

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