Questions such as these may present themselves to a student of Christian Science: "Is it right for me to affirm truths which seem beyond my present understanding? Is it honest for me to declare freedom from fear and doubt, while their shadow appears to darken my thinking and delay my healing?" Yes, it is right to entertain absolutely true thoughts about oneself, and to confirm them by correspondingly true declarations of man's perfect spiritual individuality. Yes, it is honest to affirm one's present God-given freedom from negative errors and terrors, even though they seem not yet to have yielded to the effulgence of spiritual light. Now and forever harmony is omnipresent and inharmony absent.

Mrs. Eddy gives the following instruction in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 63): "When we deny the authority of sin, we begin to sap it; for this denunciation must precede its destruction." To declare in Science that, as a perfect idea of perfect Mind, one is endowed with infinite understanding and confidence, is not a human boast, covering error, but a divinely sustained affirmation, revealing individuality. Healing, redemption, restitution, are inevitable when we associate ourselves with God, omnipotent good, not with mortal mind, impotent error.

There is deep encouragement here for one to whom the way seems long, and victory distant; for one whose progress does not seem commensurate with his study and the help he is receiving from a practitioner; for one who is still taking a personal view of his problem, believing that it is attached to himself, his body, his character or circumstances. According to physical sense evidence this may appear to be the case; but every lying suggestion of mortal mind is to be denounced and reversed on the ground of its nonexistence and nonidentification as a person, a condition, or an afflictive law.

Should one at times seem acutely tempted to yield to discouragement or even despair, can one nevertheless be faithful and persevering, rather than weak and vacillating? Can one be loyal to the rules and requirements of Christian Science and so win its rewards? Yes, by disclaiming personality and claiming individuality; by drawing on the strength of Spirit which sustained Joshua when he went forward under divine direction and protection, in spite of the doubts and misgivings which tempted him.

Divine Love itself imparts, multiplies, and rewards fundamental loyalty, and nothing but our own mistaken consent can limit our reflection of infinite Love. Are we drawing lavishly enough on the spiritual blessings which Love is lavishly pouring forth? Are we remembering that, now and forever, our God-given selfhood is our only selfhood, and that, on this basis, it is vitally fitting that we should declare our oneness with God? So doing, we shall rejoice in this Love-established oneness, and today and evermore reap the fruits of our rejoicing.

In Christian Science the art of positive true thinking has been revealed to mankind. There is no subject, no mental or physical condition, no circumstance, regarding which the Christian Scientist is not taught how to think and how not to think. Every moment he is equipped to reflect the perfect Mind, in which there is no fear, no suffering, no plaint, and no subdued sadness. In his affirmations of truth and his denials of error, he is upheld by Spirit and spiritual understanding. Christian Science, the Science of Christ, demands of us purity of thought and utterance, and bestows that which it demands.

Jesus commanded his disciples, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Yes, the flesh is weak and cannot oppose the infinite strength of Spirit. Matter is neither the medium of victory nor an impediment to God's healing law, operating in human consciousness through Christian Science. Both the revelation and our spiritual capacity to understand and demonstrate it emanate unceasingly from God, the faithful God. Spiritual understanding is not subject to obscuration, but to infinite unfoldment. Our necessity, as students of this demonstrable Science, is to dissociate ourselves from every false suggestion, and associate ourselves only with that which is harmonious, pure, and eternal. Reversing doubt we find understanding; reversing fear we find trust. Obeying Love's behests we enjoy its bequests.

Doubt is not a personal failing, but an impersonal lie against God and His likeness. Because there is no doubt or argument of failure in divine Mind, there is none in the consciousness of man. Doubt is a mere negation, and we have taken our stand for Truth. Even though, for long periods, so-called mortal mind may seem to suggest fear, inertia, discouragement, inability to demonstrate Christian Science, we continue to look to God, not to ourselves, for the victory over material sense. Life, God, is beyond the reach of temptation, and it is on Life's own demonstration of Life and harmony that our entire trust is grounded.

Even though our faithfulness should at times seem to waver, we can declare anew that our faithfulness is the reflection of God's faithfulness to all His creation. In the thirty-sixth Psalm, which describes the Psalmist's apparent struggle with iniquity and deceit, we find the declaration, "Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds." Faithfulness abides in spiritual light, untouched by the clouds of so-called material sense. Scientifically speaking, there is no mind to suggest faith in evil. The only genuine faith is intelligent, strong, progressive. This unassailable faith is the dawn of spiritual understanding that knows no eclipse.

In the narrative of the healing of the two blind men, we note that they not only went with Jesus as he moved along the street, but followed him into the house. They did not remain outside, doubting. Neither can we be deceived into believing ourselves outside the consciousness of Love, doubting our right or readiness to enter. Although these men could not see the personal Jesus, they felt the irresistible attraction of Christ, Truth, and boldly responded to it. To the Master's question regarding their desire to be healed of blindness, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" they replied, "Yea, Lord." And at once their consciousness was touched by the spiritual light which restored their sight.

Today, whoever turns to Christian Science and obeys its rules can reflect the light of Truth, in which there is no darkness of fear, doubt, or unbelief; no sickness or sin; no moral or physical blindness. In Christian Science it is error that is cast down and Truth which, by its own power, is upheld.

At times, we may seem troubled, discouraged, humiliated, by the mortal mind suggestion that we are too material to respond to spiritual inspiration and attraction, and that is why our progress is not apparent. Why adopt this lie? In God's creation there is no condemnation; there is only divine commendation. How could God condemn His likeness?

When speaking of Life, Truth, and Love as "formidable," Mrs. Eddy adds (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 185), "They are the victors never to be vanquished." In Christian Science it is not the practitioner nor the patient who is a personal victor, but the great spiritual verity which Christian Science reveals for the impartial and victorious use of each and every one, each and every hour. Truth is the victor; erroneous beliefs are the vanquished. This truth our Leader untiringly reiterates, and this truth her stanch followers untiringly maintain to the point of demonstration. Like Jacob, they declare, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." The only genuine tenacity is Truth's tenacity.

The certain way to conquer fear is to exchange self-love, self-concern, for a fuller reflection of divine Love, as expressed in man's divine nature. The spiritual wholeness we desire proclaims itself as the fact of our true being. Our part is to surrender the mortal fable and accept the spiritual fact. Then we shall not be content to hover in the doorway of hope, for "what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?" The mortal argument that we do not yet see the fact is the impersonal lie to be reversed, for spiritual perception is eternal.

There is nothing true in mortal mind, and nothing untrue in Truth. From the "Nay" of Truth to error we deduce the total unreality, nonexistence, of matter, material sense, false belief, and false believer. Every God-inspired "Yea" proclaims the divine omnipotence, and its echo is eternal in the consciousness of man. In maintaining our awareness of spiritual facts we find the way of vision and victory, and vision and victory are indivisible.

It is our privilege as Christian Scientists to accept in full faith the benediction given us by our Leader in Miscellany (p. 187): "May the divine light of Christian Science that lighteth every enlightened thought illumine your faith and understanding, exclude all darkness or doubt, and signal the perfect path wherein to walk, the perfect Principle whereby to demonstrate the perfect man and the perfect law of God."

Copyright, 1940, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, One, Norway Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.