One need not search far in the Bible to find an accurate statement of God's true appointment of man. In the first chapter of Genesis is set forth an account of God's perfect creation—spiritual, satisfactory, and altogether good. Man in God's image and likeness is given dominion over all the earth. His appointment is blessed with power to "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it" (1:28). Thus God's imaging forth of His own completeness, self-containment, and wholeness in infinitely various aspects appears through individual consciousness, appointed of God through law to express Him purposefully, specifically, and triumphantly. This perfect image is perpetually maintained and governed by the invariable laws of God, good.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy states (p. 304), "The perfect man—governed by God, his perfect Principle—is sinless and eternal." Here we have the true story of man—immortal, perfect, and harmoniously governed by his Maker. It is utterly inconceivable that this man could ever fail to fulfill the design of his perfect and infinite creator, his loving Father-Mother God.

Then what of the shadow of disappointment which seems to appear, clouding a once promising picture one has had of himself or of another—a child, a loved one, or a friend? One thing is certain: this false image, this distortion of the fact, is not being produced by the Mind which is God. Knowing this, we can challenge it as a lie, as that which is neither real nor lasting.

Turning to the Bible, we find set forth in the second chapter of Genesis an imitative attempt to repeat creation materially. A thoroughly disappointing presentment of a personal Lord God and a material man and universe is viewed through, the mist—the obscurity of a mortal concept.

Limited by its own erroneous premise, the notion that God has created a material man and universe, this false view of things depicts only disappointment, disillusionment, and failure. The promise of worldly knowledge to better the situation is most disappointing of all, resulting in the usurper, Adam, being cast out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from whence he was taken.

A very reasonable conclusion can be drawn from this graphic account of a suppositional material creation with its attendant failures; namely, that as long as the supposition remains in consciousness that God's creation, including man, is materially conceived and brought forth, the results will be both limited and disappointing. Only as we set aside this false view as illusory and deceptive can the shadows of disappointment be thoroughly erased.

When disappointing circumstances confront us, often much well-meant human love and effort are put forth in an attempt to ease or adjust the lot of the one we still behold as a mortal or a sinner. Sometimes years of suffering, bitterness, tears, and futile prayers are spent because someone has seemingly failed to measure up to our highest hopes or aspirations. This is but the false material sense that man can disappoint or be disappointed.

The teachings of Christian Science bring comfort and a totally different way to deal with and dispel the disappointing pictures which mar our present existence and try to rob us of our happiness; for they reassure us with the truth that God's man is never a mortal, a sinner. or a failure. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 322 of Science and Health: "The sharp experiences of belief in the supposititious life of matter, as well as our disappointments and ceaseless woes, turn us like tired children to the arms of divine Love. Then we begin to learn Life in divine Science."

The understanding that each and every one in his true selfhood is appointed of God and is necessary to God's infinite self-expression gives to each a place and a purpose which are distinct and indefeasible. No material circumstance can alter or eclipse this fact, however discouraging the picture presented by the senses may appear.

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read (3:14), "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him." In grappling with the arguments of disappointment we need to erase and destroy on the one hand those beliefs which claim man has fallen short of the divine standard of perfection, and on the other the beliefs which are puffed up, claiming that error can add something to God's already complete and perfect creation. Both types of misconception can be destroyed with the truth, the understanding of God and His perfect spiritual man.

We read in Science and Health (pp. 476, 477): "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick." We too can look for and expect to behold more fully this true likeness.

The established fact of the perfection and progressive continuity of all that God creates, which Christian Science reveals, may be practically perceived by anyone through spiritual sense. The simple process of metaphysics does not accept things as they appear to the physical sense, but exchanges them for their original spiritual substance. Through spiritual sense let us behold Mind's idea ever carrying forward divine Love's purpose to bless. There is nothing disappointing in this view.

Isaiah prophesies the coming of the Christ in its transforming mission to comfort all that mourn, "to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."