Article September 28, 1974 Issue

Christian Science—A Religion of Joy

REGINALD EVELYN NICHOLLS

Before I became a Christian Scientist, at moments when I felt quite happy I also had a depressing fear that this present joy would be followed by sorrow or unhappiness. This has always been a common human belief. Plautus, the Latin poet, for example, declares: "It is heaven's will for sorrow to follow joy."^{Amphitruo, Act II, Scene 2;}

Throughout the ages mankind has sought happiness, but has held that real joy can come only in the next life. It is with this belief that martyrs and saints have suffered, borne punishment and pain.

Christian Science shows us that joy is eternally present. True joy lies in our consciousness of the supremacy of absolute harmony and invincible good. Even when we have occasion to grieve, we can rejoice over the fact that sorrow is unknown to divine Love, and that Love's idea, man, is always at peace in the bosom of his Father-Mother God. As we hold to this truth, the seeming present sorrow will disappear, and there will be no need for periods of gloom following on the heels of joy.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Treating Disease with Sudden Dismissal