Article June 13, 1964 Issue

The Individual's Standard

[Of Special Interest to Young Men and Women]

JEANNE COLETTE LA BERGE

True individuality is smothered by conformity to false material values or by nonconformity to moral and spiritual values. When either is evident, the material standard is claiming to dominate the essentially spiritual one. On the college campus, an onslaught of materialism may tempt us not to hold to the standard of Christian Science.

Mrs. Eddy writes on page 283 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany": "Individuals, as nations, unite harmoniously on the basis of justice, and this is accomplished when self is lost in Love—or God's own plan of salvation. 'To do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly' is the standard of Christian Science." By no rules other than the divine can we achieve health, harmony, alertness, and intelligence. We should always endeavor to live in accordance with the teachings of Christian Science.

To be a Christian Scientist in name and not in deed is to be deceitful and to ignore the obligations incumbent upon one to hold to a spiritual standard. If individuality is equated with egoism, then our standard is subservient to our interests. If the standard of Christian Science is held to only when we are sick, discouraged, or frightened or if an effort is exerted only when we can conveniently go to church or read the Lesson-Sermon, outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly, then we must quickly elevate our thoughts and needs. We must learn to need God, not because of discordant situations, but because we know that Mind is the only source of inspiration, joy, health, and success.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"Cure is there for every ill"