Article May 21, 1966 Issue

In God's Presence

ELINOR R. DOUGLASS

In Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy devotes a whole paragraph to answering the following question: "Would existence without personal friends be to you a blank?" Science and Health, p. 266; It would appear that the majority of us would answer this question in the affirmative, for it does seem natural or normal to depend upon personal friends in our human existence.

Normal friendships are joyous and satisfying. Oftentimes an unselfish act of kindness on the part of a friend brings a sense of joy, comfort, or strength to one and helps to establish or reinforce the bond of affection between two individuals. However, friendships, bonds of affection, or acquaintanceships of any kind, if they are based upon a personal sense of goodness and love, are inadequate to stand unshaken through the trials and disappointments one encounters in the realm of human relationships.

Why is this? Why can't we unreservedly and effectively place our reliance upon our friends and our loved ones for joy, satisfaction, comfort, strength, and love? We need only turn to Christian Science for our answer. This Science stresses the importance of the First Commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Ex. 20:3; Mrs. Eddy writes, "The divine Principle of the First Commandment bases the Science of being, by which man demonstrates health, holiness, and life eternal." Science and Health, p. 340;

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A Loving Look
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