Article August 23, 1952 Issue

WHAT ARE WE PURSUING?

LESLIE C. BELL

In the American Declaration of Independence we read, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." The attainment of the ideal of that immortal statement can be gained only through Christian Science, the discovery by Mary Baker Eddy of the divine law which Christ Jesus knew and practiced nearly two thousand years ago.

It is a paradox that the pursuit of happiness for itself alone is always disappointing, a paradox which Christian Science resolves. To seek happiness for itself is to place a human state first, which must inevitably lead to frustration. Christian Science points out that the only way to gain happiness is to place first the attainment of the Christ ideal. Christ is the way in Christian Science. Christ Jesus said (Matt. 6:33), "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

The same paradox is seen in the field of moral endeavor. We cannot turn ourselves into good men and women merely by desiring to be good men and women. If we put this desire first, we fail, for either we do not reach our goal or else we become self-righteous. In the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy states (p. 261), "We should forget our bodies in remembering good and the human race." And she adds in the same paragraph, "Christian Science takes naught from the perfection of God, but it ascribes to Him the entire glory."

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