In Christian Science a term frequently used for God is divine Principle, and this Principle is synonymous with divine Love. To those unfamiliar with Christian Science the relationship between Love and Principle may not at first be seen, but when it is realized that a function of Principle—and also a function of Love—is to create and uphold, the connection is clear.

Divine Principle and its divine manifestation, or the Christ, is one, and man as he exists in Christ is therefore one with divine Principle. Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 465, 466), "Principle and its idea is one, and this one is God, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent Being, and His reflection is man and the universe." Here we have a declaration concerning the oneness of God, Christ, and man, a unity which is so essential to preserve in the practice of Christian Science.

Principle introduces a rule of law, and thus we have a demonstrable Principle, one that can be proved through the divine laws which express it. The divine law and order of Principle is ever present and can be demonstrated in our human experience.

There is nothing haphazard or out of control in Principle. If there seems to be any human insufficiency, divine Mind, or Principle, will supply the need. If there is any malformation. Mind will reform it. If there is any mistaken view of life. Truth will correct it.

Mind, Truth, Principle, Love, are four of the seven synonymous terms used for God in Christian Science. All actions are governed by God, or good, and are not under the control of mortal mind and its supposed laws of matter. These facts concerning God, Christ, and man are demonstrable in all ways and under all circumstances. Take, for instance, the subjects of art and music. Are these outside the realm of Truth or Science? Certainly not. If that were possible they would be outside the jurisdiction of Spirit and thus divorced from God. But this is not so.

Real art and music appear in proportion as God is understood. The artist and musician strive for an ideal. They desire to express an idea and to produce a perfect work that will stand the test of time and be accepted as a masterpiece. This is a right ideal, because it is in line with the Master's criterion of perfection (Matt. 5:48), "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." The perfect model is the divine perfection of God and His image and likeness, man.

In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 310), "The picture is the artist's thought objectified." This arresting statement contains a grave warning for the artist. His picture is his thought objectified! The important point is therefore not what he is painting, but what he is thinking. Posterity may judge his work by the quality of his thought and not by the standard of a prevalent school of art.

The artist might ask himself: "Is my thinking in line with divine Principle? Do I understand the law and order of divine Love? Am I a mortal objectifying mortal thoughts or an immortal reflecting the ideas of God? Which school do I follow? Who is my art master, the world or Christ?"

The artist or musician whose work will stand is one who goes to God for his instruction and reflects upon the spiritual model of divine perfection. He will realize through his study of Christian Science that he does not create, but reflects what God has already created, and thus his approach to art or music is through prayer.

The great artists of ancient China, although strangers to Christianity, are said to have spent long hours in prayer or contemplation before they commenced to paint. There was, perhaps, more practical wisdom in this action than at first appears. We recognize in their pictures a high degree of excellence. With simple devotion they turned to prayer for their inspiration. This does not mean that they were ignorant of the rules of art as they understood them, but that their masterpieces rise above the technical into the inspirational; and it may be that this higher attainment came to them as the result of prayer.

The Christian Scientist who is a musican or an artist gives Christian Science first place. He does not use it as an addendum or supplementary help. His first concern is to understand the art of being a Christian Scientist, and he endeavors to think and live according to its demands. His best textbooks are the Bible, Science and Health, and Mrs. Eddy's other writings, because they unfold the laws of God and show him how to utilize the power of prayer and thus gain spiritual inspiration. By his study of these textbooks his thought is drawn away from matter into the infinitude of Mind.

The artist or musician who gives first place to Christian Science has only one ideal, namely, to light up human consciousness by expressing the beauties and harmonies of Mind. He continually looks to God for his inspiration and recognizes the law and order of divine Principle, Love, to be the basis of his work. He sees the inseparable relationship of God and man, and his understanding of the laws of spiritual relationship enables him correctly to relate ideas one to another so that the harmony of good composition is expressed.

There is surely not a detail of genuine art or music that does not rest upon a metaphysical basis. If the artist or musician is striving to understand God, it will not be long before he finds it possible to make this understanding practical. Technical ability is necessary, but Love points to a higher ability which is purely inspirational; and this spiritual ability expresses the art and Science of God as it is reflected by man.

We cannot doubt that a glorious renaissance in art and music awaits us. The musican and artist have a part to take in the salvation of mankind and can do so in proportion as they recognize and reflect the divine ability and ever-availability of the living Principle, Love. Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health (p. 507): "Infinite Mind creates and governs all, from the mental molecule to infinity. This divine Principle of all expresses Science and art throughout His creation, and the immortality of man and the universe. Creation is ever appearing, and must ever continue to appear from the nature of its inexhaustible source."

Robert Ellis Key