Article January 10, 1942 ISSUE

Identity

GEORGE C. PALMER

Christian Science teaches that all true identity is eternal, and that what does not originate in the one source, God, is illusion. No idea of God can be contaminated, adulterated, or express material limitations. Spiritual thoughts unfold to us as we cherish them and adhere to divine Principle; they manifest strength and intelligence, and include no evil foreign element. God's ideas express every characteristic of their great cause. Divine Love says, "I AM THAT I AM," and its image necessarily reflects true Being. The beliefs that seem to present themselves for human acceptance as personal fears and human opinions are vague, undependable conjectures, not scientific truths. That alone can be depended on which has its source in eternal Mind and expresses Spirit.

In Bunyan's famous allegory, when the pilgrim found himself "in the valley of the shadow of death" it was so dark he could see neither before nor behind. It was difficult also to keep his feet on the straight and narrow way because of a quagmire on one side and a deep ditch on the other, neither of which could be seen for the blackness around. All at once, in Bunyan's imagery, "just when he was come over against the mouth of the burning Pit, one of the wicked ones got behinde him, and stept up softly to him, and whisperingly suggested many grievous blasphemies" to the pilgrim, which greatly distressed him, as he thought they came from his own heart and that he was now a traitor to God.

The book was written many years ago, but Bunyan saw something of what Christian Science clearly teaches, namely, that evil is never a part of man's true identity. When we hold in thought the true concept of God, and utilize this understanding, we begin to realize that this true identity is His manifestation. The evil whisperings were not part of the pilgrim's real selfhood, and therefore he was able to reject them. As we learn to abide "in the secret place of the most High," we perceive man's true identity, and know that the spiritual idea cannot be harmed.

Our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, has taught us what man's spiritual individuality and identity are. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she says (p. 462 ): "Anatomy, when conceived of spiritually, is mental self-knowledge, and consists in the dissection of thoughts to discover their quality, quantity, and origin. Are thoughts divine or human? That is the important question."

The Christian Scientist is learning how to distinguish between the divine idea and the false beliefs which are mere mortal suggestions and have no authority or reality. He learns to hold Truth's banner aloft, and in the proportion that he obeys the commands of God, he finds harmony and peace.

Man is at one with God; his true identity is purely spiritual. Lust for power, personal domination, hatred, revenge, and cruelty are not the offspring of Love, Mind. They have no real identity, for they manifest no divinity. Evil cannot destroy or obscure the identity or individuality of man, shining resplendent with beauty and goodness. The spiritual idea will be seen and demonstrated as Mrs. Eddy's discovery, Christian Science, gains more acceptance in human thought; the veil that is over all nations will be removed, and immutable Truth will appear as permanent and triumphant. In the words of the Psalmist, "Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations."

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The Hearts of Men Made Ready
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