Article January 27, 1945 Issue

Joyous Awakening

CATHERINE E. IRVINE

"Why are we here?" is a question which leads to other questions, such as. "What is meant by 'here'?" and, "Who are 'we'?" If "here" is considered from the standpoint of mortal existence, there is no answer to these questions. An individual who believes he has been born into matter and from then on is waging a struggle against conditions over which he has no control, is facing a problem which offers no certain hope of solution. If, on the other hand, "here" signifies "the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," present and eternal—and scientifically speaking there is no other "here" —and "we" refers to His children, then the answer is clear. We, as God's children, are essential to God's kingdom as witnesses of and to His presence and power—witnesses to the allness of good. Knowing this, we can agree with Peter when he said to Jesus at the time of the transfiguration (Matt. 17:4), "It is good for us to be here."

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, tells us (p. 302), "Continuing our definition of man, let us remember that harmonious and immortal man has existed forever, and is always beyond and above the mortal illusion of any life, substance, and intelligence as existent in matter." And then she adds, "This statement is based on fact, not fable." Thus we see that our true being is out of reach of any sense of material existence.

But someone may ask, "What about the state of existence in which one's happiest moments are overshadowed by sorrow; where security may suddenly be swept away; where success brings no joy and those one loves are taken away?" Christian Science answers that it is a dream; a dream in which man's health, security, success, happiness, love, and the like appear to be in matter.

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