Article April 15, 1967 Issue

The Moral Demand

ELOISE PATTILLO HENDRICK

Underlying the demand for morality in human relationships is the fundamental spiritual fact of man's purity and perfection as God's spiritual idea. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," ^{ Matt. 5:48;} was the command of Christ Jesus.

Morality, inspired by obedience to Jesus' demand for perfection, involves active, intelligent response to the highest and best. It expresses vital Christianity. It is essential indeed to the discernment and proof that man is spiritual.

Jesus' whole career illustrated the indispensability of the qualities which Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, designates as "moral" in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." ^{Science and Health, p. 115;} These qualities are transitional. They move human life in the direction of finding spiritual reality to be the present fact. Mrs. Eddy lists them as "Humanity, honesty, affection, compassion, hope, faith, meekness, temperance." One of the definitions of "morality" is, "The quality of that which conforms to right ideals or principles of human conduct." The qualities specified by Mrs. Eddy, when practiced, ensure morality in the highest degree.