Editorial April 5, 1969 Issue

The Vitality of Truth

Alan A. Aylwin

There certainly is nothing dry and difficult about the study and application of Christian Science. At first, its concepts and terminology may seem abstruse and abstract, because the human mind is unaccustomed to thinking in metaphysical terms. However, persistent effort will soon lift the student beyond his first difficulties and reveal a glimpse of the vast possibilities open to spiritually enlightened thought. Mrs. Eddy was cognizant of this transitional phase, for she writes, "To mortal sense Science seems at first obscure, abstract, and dark; but a bright promise crowns its brow."^{Science and Health, p. 558;}

There is an innate vitality and buoyancy in true spirituality that feeds thought and encourages the student of Christian Science to continue his endeavors. His study of the Bible and of Science and Health and Mrs. Eddy's other writings awakens in him the love of goodness that is native to the real selfhood of man. Spiritual progress then ceases to be a tiresome chore and is seen in its true light as the basis of happiness and fulfillment. Life becomes an adventure, not a difficult trial. Challenges are encountered but are surmounted as opportunities for individual growth. The good already experienced is a foretaste of even better things ahead. The student then presses on to higher ground, confident that hope and true expectancy will be fully realized as his understanding of God, divine Love, increases and the recognition of the real man's unity with this Love becomes clarified.

The understanding of the oneness, or unity, of God and man, divine Mind and perfect idea, is evidence of the Christ, Truth, that motivated the man Jesus and was the basis of his mighty healing work. And, too, it was the consciousness of the Christ that strengthened and inspired Paul to persist in his courageous and effective ministry. Experience had taught him that real satisfaction and fulfillment flowed from spiritual sense—the perception of reality— and he strove unceasingly to live above the mesmerism of material interests and goals. To him, there was nothing humdrum about this. It brought real meaning to existence, and the apostle bent every effort to reach the heights where Spirit is seen as All. He wrote, "This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."^{Phil. 3:13, 14;}

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