"Are we filling the measures of life's music aright, emphasizing its grand strains, swelling the harmony of being with tones whence come glad echoes?" Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, asks this thought-provoking question in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 116). As we consider this question we may well ask ourselves: "What is 'life's music'? How can we order our experience so that it will be comparable to beautiful music? What relation do elements of music, rhythm, melody, and harmony have to living?"

In working out our answers to these questions we must of course start with God, who is revealed in Christian Science as the Principle of all reality. For beautiful, joyous living we must base our thought and action on the understanding of that Principle which is also Life, Soul, Love, Spirit, Truth, and Mind. Our whole motive and purpose, then, should be to know more about infinite good, which is God, and to express more of good. The endeavor to do this is bound to be filled with joy and praise, for in the words of a well-loved hymn (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 195),

Rhythm represents a measured pulsation in music, and when executed accurately it may be said to bring order to a performance. In teaching music one sometimes gives a pupil a line of empty measures to fill with notes and rests of the proper valuations. So every day we might say that each one of us is given twenty-four hours, and we have the opportunity of filling these measures with life's music. Many students of Christian Science have found that when they start the day with the study of the Lesson-Sermon as outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly, the duties of the day fall into a peaceful order which might be likened to the buoyant rhythm of a lovely musical composition.

When words are set to music it is desirable that the important words be accented. So in our daily affairs we learn to accent the most important activities, those most closely linked with our search for a better understanding of God. Besides our daily study of the Lesson-Sermon we consider it important to read something from Mrs. Eddy's other writings and from the Christian Science periodicals, as well as to spend some time frequently in research with the Concordances. We also give proper emphasis to church attendance and support.

When the writer first began the study of Christian Science she was doing professional work which interfered with regular church attendance. She values this period of growth because it developed a hunger for the church services; but she feels that she took a definite step of progress when she decided to plan her work so that nothing should interfere with her regular church attendance. At times it seemed as though this decision were entailing a loss; but the long-range results have been very satisfactory financially and have led to greater spiritual growth, as well as to a practically perfect record of health for many years.

As we grow in the understanding of eternity as unfolded in Christian Science we feel less limited by the mortal belief of time. Often we find that we can do a task much more quickly than we had thought possible. We also free ourselves progressively from so-called material laws of youth and age and so express life's music according to the peaceful rhythm of infinity, instead of in conformity to the restrictions of mortal measurements.

The melodic element in music is often considered the source of most of its beauty; though without an appropriate rhythm, melody would be much less lovely. May we not compare a graceful expression of such qualities as purity, honesty, humility, gratitude, activity, intelligence, and joy to musical melody? In Isaiah we read of "the garden of the Lord," in which joy and gladness are to be found, "thanksgiving, and the voice of melody" (51:3). Paul enjoins the Ephesians (5:18. 19), "Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."

When one makes melody in his heart to the Lord that inner expression of gratitude, love, and joy is expressed outwardly in more beauty in everyday experience. This means health and peace instead of disease and suffering, abundance in place of lack, and fruitful activity rather than stagnation or overaction. If we are emphasizing the grand strains of life's music, we shall not be wasting words or thought in unloving criticism, but shall express the song of Soul in kindness, courtesy, cheerfulness, and unselfishness.

On page 304 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes: "Harmony in man is as beautiful as in music, and discord is unnatural, unreal. The science of music governs tones." Harmony in music rests on certain fundamental laws. So musical harmony may aptly symbolize individual and universal harmony, which is based on Principle. Just as discord in music must be resolved through understanding, in like manner discord in human affairs must yield to spirituality or spiritual understanding. Only spiritual sense can comprehend the real basis for individual and collective health, happiness, progress, and bring out these results. Mrs. Eddy says (ibid., p. 60): "An ill-attuned ear calls discord harmony, not appreciating concord. So physical sense, not discerning the true happiness of being, places it on a false basis. Science will correct the discord, and teach us life's sweeter harmonies."

It takes study and practice to understand music well. Study and practice are also required to apprehend and demonstrate Christian Science. There is great satisfaction in being able to appreciate and to perform beautiful music. Much more wonderful is the spiritual joy which comes with the growing understanding of the Science of being and the resultant fruits of healing, peace, and harmony.

As we faithfully strive to fill "the measures of life's music aright." to emphasize its grand strains, and to swell the harmony of being, we shall inevitably hear the "glad echoes" all over the world in an increase of brotherly love, righteous laws, and just government. May we all have our part in the performance of this great symphony of Soul.