Article January 2, 1954 Issue

CONCERNING MAN'S PERFECTION

JAMES K. WESTOVER

One who was investigating the possibilities of a healing through prayer once attended a Christian Science lecture and was deeply impressed with this recommendation of the lecturer: "Let only good be paraded and detailed." Upon reaching his home he turned to a work written by Mary Baker Eddy entitled "Unity of Good," which fell open at page 17. Here he read: "I say, Be allied to the deific power, and all that is good will aid your journey, as the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. (Judges v. 20.) Hourly, in Christian Science, man thus weds himself with God, or rather he ratifies a union predestined from all eternity."

These statements brought the realization that advancement in the understanding and use of the truth is entirely possible to those who strive to parade and detail only good. He perceived that no special agility of intellect, no ultraproficiency in literary attainments, is required, but only the cultivation of a humble, honest, obedient receptivity to and appreciation of that good which allies one to the deific power. Later that same day he was led to read in the Bible some of St. Paul's experiences. Paul reached the conclusion that the peace of mind which passes all human understanding will surely accrue when thought is devoted to that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy, and of good report. As the searcher for Truth accepted a simple correction of his thought, healing followed quickly.

The true Christian must be measured by his goodness rather than by his goods. The Psalmist sang (Ps. 37:37), "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace." A modern translation of this passage puts it, "Hold to integrity, remain upright; there is a future for the peaceable." Even when not humanly achieved, the demonstration of perfection may be perceived as a possibility, for it is a spiritual fact. We may clearly discern it as our worthiest goal, just as David saw it so long ago and declared (Ps. 37: 27-31): "Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. ...The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.... The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide."

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