Article April 24, 1954 Issue

SOME THOUGHTS ON MILITARY SERVICE

THOMAS A. MC CLAIN

Young men now serving in the armed forces, and those expecting to be called, often ask themselves how this experience will affect their individual progress; what effect being away from home and family will have; and if the new associations will be conducive to a right mental atmosphere. The teachings of Christian Science provide a logical and satisfying answer to each of these questions, although the solution will be individual in each case.

Men may be tempted to feel that their progress lies in the employment or conduct of a specific business or profession not offered in the military service, and that in the latter they are simply marking time insofar as individual progress is concerned. To the student of Christian Science, progress means vastly more than just getting ahead in a material, human way. Human advancement may not always bring with it the joy, freedom, dominion, confidence, and affluence of good, without which progress is a sham. These much-desired qualities of true progress, being spiritual, are found in a demonstrable understanding of God and man.

Spiritual progress includes all that is satisfying to enlightened human consciousness. Man's purpose is to serve God through expressing spiritual ideas. This is the Father's business, and it encompasses all right activity.

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