Article January 10, 1942 ISSUE

The Christian Scientist in College

[Written Especially for Young People]

WILLIAM STANLEY PAXSON, JR.

One of the problems confronting the student of Christian Science upon entering a college or university is that of whether or not he shall accept membership in one or more of the college social groups or activities, including a fraternity, provided he is offered the opportunity to do so. As his college life is definitely influenced by his decision in this matter, the young Christian Scientist should enter college prepared to exercise wisdom, under divine guidance. Mary Baker Eddy has said in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 392 ), "Your decisions will master you, whichever direction they take," and the young Christian Scientist should therefore strive to make an intelligent decision in this as in all other matters.

Whatever the Scientist decides to do in such matters, he should be clear on the fact that through fidelity to Truth he can do good and receive good. He must know that his happiness and success on the campus are not dependent on his membership in some social group. Happiness and success are primarily spiritual, and the real man possesses them by reflection. No human institution, person, or group of persons can bestow them, for they are impersonal and controlled by divine Principle.

The young Christian Scientist should carefully weigh all such matters, considering the value thereof. He should realize that social organizations which would limit his views and friendships or keep him away from Sunday school, church services, or his university Christian Science organization, all of which our Leader has wisely provided for our growth and education, will be worth little to him. In the words of a hymn:

"Whatever dims thy sense of truth
Or stains thy purity,
Though light as breath of summer air,
O count it sin to thee."

On the other hand, a Scientist may do much good by his Christian example in the close contacts occasioned by community life. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." was the counsel, yea, the command, of our Way-shower, Christ Jesus. There will be found college students who have little interest in attending church or in prayer, and thus the practice of the sincere Christian Scientist may show others the value of spiritual thinking.

The Scientist may also realize that as he earnestly endeavors to bring whatever of good he has learned to every activity in which he participates, his efforts will be successful because they are based on the truth.

Membership in any campus organization can serve as an opportunity to put into practice the student's spiritual advancement. Remembering Mrs. Eddy's words (Science and Health, p. 269 ), "Metaphysics resolves things into thoughts, and exchanges the objects of sense for the ideas of Soul," he can unsee error of every sort and help to improve and heal situations, and thus benefit himself as well as the group of which he is a member. For example, a member of a college fraternity became disturbed over the conversation which was in evidence at the table used by his chapter. As a student of Christian Science he worked for guidance and was led to read, in a Christian Science Sentinel, the testimony of a young man who had experienced the healing of a similar situation. Soon afterward the clique was broken up, the young men involved scattered among the other tables, and a better spirit of camaraderie was experienced thereafter throughout the group.

It will prove helpful to the young Scientist, whether a member of any social group or not, to realize that in the final analysis there is but one Mind, and consequently but one true brotherhood. Mrs. Eddy makes this plain when she writes in Science and Health (p. 467 ): "It should be thoroughly understood that all men have one Mind, one God and Father, one Life, Truth, and Love. Mankind will become perfect in proportion as this fact becomes apparent, war will cease and the true brotherhood of man will be established."

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