A true sense of humility is based upon the relation of God and man as cause and effect. When we realize that God is the only cause and that man is the effect of this great cause, then we keep our experience in proper alignment. This scientific relationship is vitally important to our health and well-being.

Jesus' deepest teachings were based upon this relationship. He was constantly aware of the fact that God is the only creative, animating power and that man functions as the effect, the outcome, of this divine Principle. This truth is expressed in such statements as this (John 5:19): "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise."

Underlying these teachings is the fact that God, Spirit, is the only Mind, the only intelligence, and that matter has no life, no creative power, and no real effect. The spiritual universe and man portray the harmony, order, and rhythm which are the effects of the one universal divine Principle, or God. When we prayerfully acknowledge and worship this one and only God, then the effect of His harmonious control becomes increasingly apparent in our lives.

The belief that there is a creative ego in matter is what seems to obscure the harmony of true being. This false claim would try to upset the equilibrium of true spiritual government and result in sin, disease, and disorder. Many types of disease rest upon this false claim of egotism in matter, that is, the belief that matter can create and destroy. This self-assertive mortal will needs to be denied and destroyed. A true sense of humility is of great value in this process.

Mrs. Eddy speaks to us on this subject in "Miscellaneous Writings." She says (pp. 195, 196), "The I will go to the Father when meekness, purity, and love, informed by divine Science, the Comforter, lead to the one God: then the ego is found not in matter but in Mind, for there is but one God, one Mind: and man will then claim no mind apart from God."

Any belief that man is a creator obscures the relationship of cause and effect and leads one to miss the way. It is human will that makes mistakes. And it is only as we subordinate the human to the divine that we can reflect the wisdom of the all-knowing Mind.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matt. 5:5). Why is this so? Because the meek recognize God's control over all. They are aware of the omnipotence of divine Love and the fact that divine Love is constantly blessing man with all good. It takes meekness to understand this fact and thus to inherit this goodness.

It is often egotism that feels friction and depletion from daily contact with humankind. Humility, based upon the knowledge of man's dependence upon God, eases the burden and restores the lost vitality. When we take time to pray and to acknowledge God as the source and substance of our being, we feel the renewing effect of this great cause operating in our behalf.

Humility never depreciates man, but recognizes his qualities as the effect of the one great cause. As long as we remember that man is the effect of God, we can claim all the goodness of God as our rightful heritage. This is coming into our own as the children of God.

It is not in accord with the Science of cause and effect to think of man as a miserable sinner. This concept of man is not the effect of divine Truth and Love, and it does not represent the true humility required of mankind. When we understand God to be the only Mind, this eliminates any motive for sin and any cause for a sinner. True humility requires a genuine regard for real manhood and an ensuing self-respect. In reflecting the right qualities, we are responding to the one and only cause.

The self-denial required in Christian Science is the denial of the mortal self, the so-called effect of mortal mind. And this is really the denial of mortal mind. When this is clear to us, we shall be more willing to pursue this course with vigor, and we shall gain the full experience resulting from expressing the one cause, the only Mind, which is God.

Jesus combined meekness and might because he fully recognized man as the effect of God. By faithfully maintaining this relationship, he brought the divine power to bear upon the affairs of men. It is God's power that heals the sick and sinning. Humility recognizes this and demonstrates it.

Mrs. Eddy faithfully followed God's direction. She was willing to listen for His guidance and humble enough to follow it. Out of the depths of experience she says (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 201), "Rich hope have I in him who says in his heart:—

William Milford Correll