Since 1877, when Thomas A. Edison first succeeded in reproducing sounds by his simple phonograph, great improvements have developed in reproducing music and voice. In fact, the finest reproduction of today, virtually indistinguishable in certain installations from the original performance, is termed "high fidelity."

In a far greater and higher way, spiritual man reflects with perfect fidelity his origin, God, Spirit. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 250), "Man is not God, but like a ray of light which comes from the sun, man, the outcome of God, reflects God." How important, then, is our endeavor to express more fidelity in reflecting God's nature and qualities in our everyday living! True, the standards of Christian Science are high, and adherence to them requires continual growth in spiritual understanding; but the sincere desire to understand more of God, of man, and of divine law is always rewarded.

Never in world history has mankind more needed to rely on God's infinite power than now. There are indications that many people are reaching out to spiritual values to overcome national and international fears, aggression, and the enslavement resulting from materialistic ideologies. Here the pure spiritual teachings of Christian Science are invaluable. What an opportunity we all have today to be good witnesses for these teachings! Thus others may observe the results of our reliance upon the one Mind, God, the only power, which can nullify the clamoring of all evil intents and influences.

Centuries ago, David, the king of Israel, voiced this eternal truth (I Chron. 29:1): "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine."

Now, increasing fidelity to God cannot be consistently expressed unless based upon the growing conviction that we love Him supremely. The foundation is then laid in consciousness for the continued unfolding of spiritual ideas, followed by the demonstration of these truths naturally and spontaneously.

The central theme of the Bible is the allness of God, His omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniactivity, and the consequent impotence and nothingness of evil's claims of power, presence, and influence. Repeating with perfect fidelity the teachings of Christ Jesus and calling for the continuance today of his mighty works as well, the inspired teachings of Christian Science set forth God's revelation of absolute Truth, Life, and Love. Noble, grand, and profound these teachings are, indeed, yet so simple that through the application of them children often work out problems for themselves.

Moreover, should we not make sure that Christlike simplicity and childlike receptivity accompany our prayer to express progressive fidelity to the strict but loving demands of Christian Science? Our progress Spiritward cannot rightly be evaluated on the basis of profession only, for the reinforcement of faith, understanding, and demonstration is essential. Further, any reliance upon human personality must be superseded by wholehearted dependence on the only real foundation, infinite Principle, Love.

With his clear insight into the reality of God's nature, the beloved disciple stated (I John 4:8), "God is love." How much these three words mean! And our revered Leader points to the same sublime theme thus (Science and Health, p. 113): "The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love." Consequently, it is our highest privilege and opportunity to learn more of infinite Love and to prove our understanding by our works. This ideal can be attained most effectively through sincere prayer, through listening to the still small voice and being consistently obedient to the spiritual truths revealed thereby. Humility and teachableness must always accompany the obedience which leads into the unfolding demonstration of the realities of true being.

To ensure consistent spiritual unfoldment, an essential factor is frequent self-examination. One must clearly recognize that it is imperative to allow God's thoughts to supersede those opposite to His nature and qualities. One must work to overcome all sinful tendencies, false appetites, human weaknesses, and the like, as well as to destroy all that is consonant with the universal belief that man exists in and is made up of a physical body. Increasing spiritual understanding enables us to realize that man is in reality not physical but exclusively spiritual, living in Spirit and existing for the sole purpose of reflecting with perfect fidelity his divine origin, Spirit. Spiritual man is, then, existing above and beyond the reach of all the imperfection and inharmony accompanying the misconception that he exists apart from God.

Another essential factor for progress is the humble and intelligent appraisal of the fidelity of our present understanding of Spirit, while at the same time using the truth faithfully in solving human problems. In his parable of the talents Christ Jesus did not condemn the man who had but one talent, but he rebuked his neglect in not using what he had. Self-examination should be searching, rather than casual; habitual, rather than occasional. Not only does this spiritually mental process lead to the healing of all inharmony, but it also reveals the preventive aspect, an invaluable one in Christian Science, and one often overlooked by those beginning to practice its teachings. Clearly discerning the ever-available protection afforded everyone, the Psalmist wrote centuries ago (Ps. 91:1), "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

Once, a few days before leaving to attend a yearly meeting of a Christian Science students' association, the writer found that the necessary funds for the long journey were not on hand. He prayed to rise above the lack and dismay. It came to him that because fidelity to God should invariably take precedence above all else, he should therefore expect to express that fidelity; and that because God's likeness is complete, he was rich in the spiritual ideas which divine Love supplies continuously. Two days before the time for leaving, the funds were available.

When we realize and fulfill the requirement of putting our love for God first in our daily lives, we cannot, then, fail to co-operate with our fellow men in reflecting increasing fidelity to the Giver of all good, divine Love. Thus all of us can obey the injunction of Christ Jesus (Matt. 5:48), "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."