One must look beyond the apparent material nature of mankind to find the true basis of morality. If man were considered to be just a material organism or an animal, what would prevent society from reverting to the jungle? There is a spiritual force, a divine intelligence, which underlies morality and civilization.

Civilized society cannot exist without some understanding of God, divine Spirit. And the tendency to deny God is self-destructive. But, of course, very much depends upon a correct concept of God and of man as God's child. If one denies God, he denies Life; and this is suicidal. If one denies God, he denies Principle, the very foundation of law, order, justice, and harmony. If one denies God, he denies Soul, the basis of identity and individuality, the source of all the higher sensibilities of man. The materialist who denies God just doesn't know what he is talking about.

In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Mrs. Eddy says: "Chastity is the cement of civilization and progress. Without it there is no stability in society, and without it one cannot attain the Science of Life." ^{Science and Health, p. 57;} Sin is a denial of God and is self-destructive. Immorality leads to the loss of self-respect, and then the individual has a tendency to disintegrate. Through his separation from God he loses the very forces that hold him together as a unit. On the other hand, adherence to the laws of God unifies the individual, strengthens his moral fiber, and he finds healing and regeneration. He increasingly reflects the self-sustaining nature of divine Principle.

If one has strayed from the path of morality, he has recourse to the laws of God and can find a renewed sense of sonship with Him. He must recognize the spiritual basis for the moral laws in order to demonstrate them and come free from the hypnotic claims of mortal mind.

Christian Science has uncovered the unreality of matter and the illusory nature of material sense. It has struck at the very foundation of error, or evil. And it is no wonder that mortal mind, or materially-minded mortals, would try to destroy the spiritual influence of this Science and attack the basis of morality. The present tendency of some people to desecrate all that is holy and spiritual can be seen as the influence of evil, or animal magnetism, trying to tear down, destroy, and disintegrate. It would show up in the attempt to ridicule and belittle morality as something outgrown and outmoded. We must learn to recognize this influence for what it is and work steadfastly to destroy it. We must constantly renew our understanding of the spiritual nature of man as the likeness of God.

When Christ Jesus indicated which were the two great commandments, he laid the foundation for social and individual health and well-being. He said: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind," and, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." ^{Matt. 22:37, 39;} Here are the spiritual forces that hold the individual together and that also harmonize and integrate society.

Jesus related moral health to physical health. In one of his healings his first response to the man's need was to say, "Man, thy sins are forgiven thee." ^{Luke 5:20;} When challenged on this score, he proved his point by proceeding to heal the man of his palsy. Through sin and moral fault evil would attempt to paralyze the individual and society. Spiritual understanding is the tool by which one can antidote this error and be freed from its influence. Moral integrity is essential to spiritual healing power.

It takes a hardheaded approach to see that immorality is thoroughly undesirable. Mrs. Eddy says: "This conviction, that there is no real pleasure in sin, is one of the most important points in the theology of Christian Science. Arouse the sinner to this new and true view of sin, show him that sin confers no pleasure, and this knowledge strengthens his moral courage and increases his ability to master evil and to love good." ^{Science and Health, p. 404;} Sin is a mistaken sense, mesmerism; and when one wakes to the truth, he finds that he does not want error.

Through earnest prayer one can prove that divine Love strengthens his spiritual sense, his ability to resist evil and destroy it. His love of good will free his capacities, elevate his sense of morality, and improve his health. This is the way society advances. As more individuals come to this recognition of the spiritual basis for morality, the divine Principle of harmony becomes more evident in the cohesion and cooperation of society. But thought must rise above matter to Spirit in order to manifest this power and control. Our textbook, Science and Health, informs us, "It is only by acknowledging the supremacy of Spirit, which annuls the claims of matter, that mortals can lay off mortality and find the indissoluble spiritual link which establishes man forever in the divine likeness, inseparable from his creator." ^{p. 491 .}

William Milford Correll