Editorial September 2, 1950 Issue

THE BASIS OF REAL JOY

Richard J. Davis

SOME months ago an inquiring photographer, unobserved by the public, caught and published in a well-known magazine interesting studies of various types of people as they passed along the streets of a large city. The statement was made that no one smiled. There seemed to be no evidence of happiness, serenity, or peace. Faces were tense, worried, or depressed; men and women alike seemed to be joyless.

This is an interesting comment on the state of human consciousness today, and it clearly demonstrates the important contribution that the teaching of Christian Science is bringing to humanity through its joyful ministry. The world unquestionably needs joy; we all need the joy of Spirit. We need it more and more, and Christian Science declares that through a correct understanding of God we may have it immeasurably. Joy is the unmistakable stamp of a real Christian Scientist. It is the indication that something has come into his think ing that has changed his outlook and is expressed in a happiness which he spontaneously manifests. In fact, joy and spontaneity go hand in hand. They are unfolding evidences of Soul.

In her textbook Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 57): "Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it." This statement of Mrs. Eddy's leads one to see that qualities of true joy and happiness have their basis in unselfishness. One cannot be truly happy and at the same time have thought focused on a personal sense of self. Christ Jesus was the perfect example of selfless living. In order to have or manifest a true sense of joy, one's thinking has to be in accord with Principle, with right, and is therefore far removed from what Mrs. Eddy has aptly termed in one of her poems the tried joy of material pleasure-seeking. Righteous thinking naturally finds its expression in harmonious being and living. As the prophet isaiah declared (Isa. 32:17), "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."

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