Nothing concerns humankind more than what is called the future, both in the here and in the hereafter. Some religions base their rather gloomy creed on the belief of predestination, declaring that God has destined some to be saved, others to be damned. Such fatalism is all too prevalent in the thought of mankind generally.

"What is to be will be," they frequently say, and go on their way in uncertainty. Does not this imply an unjust, tyrannical power dealing out good luck to some and bad luck to others?

Christian Science saves from this haphazard way of thinking and living, both individually and universally. It proclaims an omnipotent, just God, who is Spirit, divine Mind, infinite good, and reveals His demonstrable laws. Through this knowledge men find themselves governed by unerring wisdom and impartial goodness, their future assured in harmony, order, abundance, and beauty. On page 37 of "No and Yes" Mary Baker Eddy writes, "What God knows, He also predestinates; and it must be fulfilled." Can any individual or nation stay His hand or annul His decree?

What is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next year, or in the next century? Which will be fulfilled, our hopes or our fears? These questions more or less color the thinking of all mankind. The student of Christian Science learns that what God has destined is wholly good. He knows that it is his privilege through the consecrated study of Christian Science to reflect what God knows. He learns that what God knows is true and real, and is all that is true and real. As he understands and obeys this truth, which never for an instant ceases to be true, his so-called future is assured in an ever brighter, happier, and nobler sequence of living.

Many things offer themselves temptingly as a source of consultation as to one's future prospects. Among these are astrology, numerology, clairvoyance, and so forth—such things as are mentioned in the Scriptures and strictly forbidden, as "diviners," "spirits," "wizards that peep, and that mutter." Those who seek such sources for information as to their future destiny and allow themselves to be governed by the prophecies of good and evil are being enticed away from the power and dominion given to man by divine Mind to know and fulfill his divine destiny. This destiny is nothing less than the expression of God in pure goodness, intelligent, harmonious activity, and power.

Recent history, if its chronicles are reliable, presents a striking example of the discord and disaster that follow dependence on the predictions given by study of the heavens. These foster personal ambitions, success or failure, attempting to guide a destiny devised apart from Principle. On page 102 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes, "The planets have no more power over man than over his Maker, since God governs the universe; but man, reflecting God's power, has dominion over all the earth and its hosts."

One of the things most frequently consulted as to one's future welfare is what is looked upon as a personal, material body. "Will it hold out and keep its faculties, or will it fail me?" Now this body, believed to be made up of material substance apart from mortal mind, dictating its terms to mind, is merely mortal mind's expression of its own limited concept of selfhood. A poor consultant indeed!

One must turn away from this false concept of body to the true idea or embodiment of divine Mind's qualities and ideas. One finds this identity indestructible in substance, and he learns with St. Paul that "there is one body, and one Spirit." Spirit's faculties are unfailing, its strength inexhaustible, its energy and health abounding. An understanding of this true identity and its spiritual faculties gives one ability to meet all demands made upon him. He does not fear that matter will fail him or hinder his activities. With this spiritual understanding he is equipped with "the sword of Science," of which our Leader speaks on page 266 of Science and Health, where she says, "Such is the sword of Science, with which Truth decapitates error, materiality giving place to man's higher individuality and destiny."

Another popular consultant is the salary or the bank account, the financial status of an individual or a nation. A bank account is a perfectly legitimate thing to have and sound finances are to be maintained, but of themselves they are not anything on which to rest one's destiny. Each of us must learn that his real sustenance and supply exist in spiritual values, in the qualities of divine Mind, an inexhaustible supply: intelligence, justice, purity, love, peace, and joy. These invested in daily living provide men with unfailing security, health, home, prosperity, and peace throughout the future even as it melts into eternity. There is rest in the promise of Christ Jesus, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Thus one turns away from personal sense to divine Principle to learn more completely what God causes man to know and what He predestinates. One finds his destiny under the control of Mind. He finds his so-called future a continually expanding unfoldment of the harmonious now of Love's infinite goodness. He finds security for himself and the world in the knowledge that what God knows and destines is good, and that "he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?"

Margaret Morrison