Article September 4, 1943 Issue

Do You Want God?

[Of Special Interest to Youth]

INFZ FIELD DAMON

"Do you want God?" is as arresting a question as, "Do you want the multiplication table?" Whether you want the multiplication table or not, it is here. You have nothing to do with making and maintaining it but you have much to do with acquainting yourself with it and using it. A similar figure may be used on a much higher level. God is— whether we think we want Him or not. We have no more to do with making and maintaining the relationship between God and man than we have to do with making the multiplication table, but it is a pitiful thing for us if we do not seek to understand that relationship and utilize it. How wild would be the mathematical calculations and how collapsible the work of the engineer who scorned the principle of mathematics! How futile are the life purposes of him who tries to live without God!

A young college man who was profoundly interested in his chosen profession turned to Christian Science for light and visited a Christian Science practitioner. He said he was disturbed by his indifference toward religion. He felt that he ought to desire to know something of the truth about God and man, but frankly he thought that he wanted professional success more than he wanted God. He said that certain religious pictures which represented God as an old man with a long beard, sitting on a cloud, had offended his intelligence. He felt that he could not accept that kind of God; but what kind of God was there? What kind of God did he want? He was assured that he need not be lonely in his quest, for every thinking individual somewhere along life's highway stops to ask similar questions and looks for signs directing him to his spiritual destination.

To all who find themselves facing a similar problem. Christian Science offers the one and only solution. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, takes the Bible as the basis of her teachings, set forth in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." On page 587 of this book she defines God as, "The great I am; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence." It will be noted that here are seven synonyms for God. Consider in this connection Genesis 1:26, 27, which reads in part: "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." It becomes clear, then, that man, as the image and likeness of God must be characterized by the qualities of God, the qualities embraced in the seven synonyms for God. One who consciously reflects these qualities and sets himself to understand and make use of them, thereby frees himself from self-imposed limitations. Whatever his profession or human activity, he travels always in the line of light. His progress is sure.

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