Article April 9, 1949 Issue

Do our lives express dignity? Here is recipe for true worth

THE DIGNITY OF MIND

DOUGLAS ROBERTS

TRUE dignity is divine. It is a quality, or attribute, of our Father-Mother God and is never absent from His expression, man and the universe. Our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, indicates the truth of this statement when she refers in the textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," to "the dignity and potency of divine Mind." The full quotation reads (p.158), "Drugs, cataplasms, and whiskey are stupid substitutes for the dignity and potency of divine Mind and its efficacy to heal." Being a quality of Mind, dignity must be expressed through man, Mind's spiritual idea, in all the radiancy of spiritual reflection—in peace, power, and freedom, in gentleness and grace. It must be revealed in all the loveliness of nature, which, rightly interpreted, is the expression of Mind.

The carnal mind knows nothing of true dignity. Its misconception of dignity involves the wearing of mental masks and the playing of studied parts. Individuals can express Christlike dignity only as the false, mortal selfhood is expunged and the real self-expression of divine reflection is revealed. The recipe, then, for true dignity is to "put off ... the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts," and to "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph.4:22,24). As this is accomplished, individuals will express far more than mere outward observance of and conformity to customary decorum. They will manifest spiritual poise, calm, grace, charm, humility, wisdom, and authority.

The word "dignity" is from the Latin dignus, meaning worthy. A dignified man or woman is one who expresses only that which is worthy, such as honesty, sincerity, purity, and good will. What examples we find in the Bible of this dignity of Mind expressed in human affairs! Christ Jesus furnished the perfect example in this as in all other qualities. Thus the Master manifested dignity in his ever gracious response to those seeking relief from disease and suffering; in his unhurried actions as he went about his Father's business of awakening mankind to the ever-presence of the kingdom of God; in his patient reiteration of the Word of Truth to dull ears; in his self-immolated service, as when he washed the disciples' feet. Even under the severest provocation, as he stood before Pontius Pilate, the Roman soldiers, and a hostile rabble, and again on the cross, this sanctified man of God showed forth his real and spiritual selfhood in the dignity and calm of unutterable Truth and Love.

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