Article November 12, 1949 Issue

ETERNAL BLISS

PEARL G. ANDREWS

In her publication "Miscellaneous Writings" Mary Baker Eddy, the beloved Leader of the Christian Science movement, points the way to the attainment of eternal bliss. She writes (p. 19), "The spiritual sense of Life and its grand pursuits is of itself a bliss, health-giving and joy-inspiring."

Most of us deeply yearn for a more lasting peace, based unchangingly upon foundations which do not crumble with the passing of events, however uncontrollable and adverse may seem these events. In the midst of what may appear to be incessant difficulties, we do experience intervals of ease and are apt to rest smugly in them. An ecstatic sense of bliss, a momentary relief from heaviness of heart, may be often quickly overshadowed by premonitions of impending evil. To many there seems to come a crucifixion between two thieves, the thief of the past and the thief of the future. Condemnatory regrets over past wrong words and acts or a fear and dread of what the future holds in store may mercilessly assail us. This state of thought is due to a lack of spiritual understanding, that is, of a correct knowledge of the truth of God and man.

A fluctuating sense of happiness is always founded upon the shifting sands of material belief; eternal bliss is based upon the rock of spiritual understanding. When we believe that human conditions are shaping themselves favorably to our liking, we experience spontaneous release from heavyheartedness, and happiness ensues; whereas unfavorable circumstances and their results seem instantly to throw us into the depths of despair. We believe that evil has come upon us and necessarily think our joy will go. But when the truth of God and His idea, the universe including individual man, is realized and utilized, we begin to glimpse at once that permanency of joy and bliss which is the established fact of our being. To be righteously employed in the pursuit of a spiritual sense of Life is to be about the Father's business. We read in the eighth chapter of Romans, "To be spiritually minded is life and peace."

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THE STANDARD OF PERFECTION IS THE STANDARD OF LIBERTY
November 12, 1949
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