Article October 24, 1942 Issue

Dare to be Different

[Of Special Interest to Youth]

MARY C. HARVEY

The writer was once attending a Monitor meeting in a Christian Science branch church. On the seat beside her she found a leaflet, and written across the cover were these arresting words: "It dares to be different." Till the meeting began she pondered these words, and thought how aptly they described the spirit of Mary Baker Eddy, who established The Christian Science Monitor, and who said, as recorded in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 353), that "the object of the Monitor is to injure no man, but to bless all mankind." Then in a flash came the thought: Are we equally courageous? Do Christian Scientists, as a whole, dare to be different?

Perhaps it is only as we honestly strive to follow our Leader that we realize how much courage and understanding of true values is required "to be different." Young people in all walks of life come up against what to them seem almost insurmountable difficulties in their steadfast efforts to hold to the truths which have been revealed to them in Christian Science. Among some groups one often hears the remark, "It's not done." The opinion of the majority is often greatly honored, and those who do not subscribe to this opinion may be frowned on or given the cold shoulder.

Now, while such a slogan may to a certain extent be a useful deterrent and serve to keep before people of all sorts the necessity for upholding the honor of the institution or group to which they belong, it should never be carried to excess or be allowed to interfere with demands of Principle. Students of Christian Science know that, because they have enlisted to obey the government of Principle, they must in many ways be different from those who allow themselves to be directed almost themselves to be directed almost entirely by so-called material law. They can, however, take comfort in the fact that they are not alone in this great adventure. Down through the ages there has been a long line of men and women who have dared to be different, and among them are Daniel, the prophet of the Babylonian captivity; Christ Jesus, the Founder of Christianity; and Mary Baker Eddy, to Discoverer of Christian Science and Founder of the Christian Science organization.

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