The Scriptures make many allusions to dress. The full significance of these allusions cannot, however, be grasped without an understanding of the allness of Mind, which is the fundamental basis upon which the Scriptures were written. The subject of dress takes on a new aspect when considered from the viewpoint that "all is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all" (Science and Health, p. 468). Moreover, it is from this viewpoint alone that one can "consider the lilies" in the way in which the Master intended they should be considered when he pointed to the ease of its attainment as well as to the beauty of their array. Regarded from a material basis, however, the subject of dress is frequently associated with worry and fear. All through its pages the Scriptures teach the lesson of humanity's great need for changing its mode of thinking on this subject.

The word dress is derived from the Latin word dirigere, which means to direct. Humanity's need, then, is seen to be a need for directing aright, or correcting, its thoughts about God and also its concept of man's relation to God and to his fellow man. On page 452 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy states: "We soil our garments with conservatism, and afterwards we must wash them clean. When the spiritual sense of Truth unfolds its harmonies, you take no risks in the policy of error. Expect to heal simply by repeating the author's words, by right talking and wrong acting, and you will be disappointed. Such a practice does not demonstrate the Science by which divine Mind heals the sick." Suitable robes are needed for the healing of the sick, and these robes are right thoughts,—thoughts fashioned after the model shown by Christ Jesus, to touch the hem of whose garment brought health.

The question, What are these healing garments and how are they to be won and worn, is uppermost in the thought of many to-day. One of the first things to be recognized is the fact that mortal mind is always clothed in "filthy rags," to use a term employed by Isaiah. Greed, avarice, vanity, selfishness, sensuality, comprise part of its wearing apparel. Then it is important to understand the clear distinction made by the teachings of Christian Science between the real man and mortal mind. These teachings show that man is never mortal or material, and that man and mortality have no more in common than have light and darkness. Man is forever clothed in the qualities of the divine Mind, just as the sun's rays forever express the light of the sun. Just as it is impossible to separate the sun's rays from the sun so is it impossible to separate man from the Mind which is the source of his being.

As one can, however, by intercepting the rays of the sun prevent them from shining on a certain object, so can one seemingly prevent right ideas from reaching his own human problem by intercepting the light of Truth which would correct his wrong concepts. By means of fear, suspicion, resentment, entertained toward a brother, one may, for instance, intercept the blessings that would accrue to him from entertaining thoughts of kindness, confidence, and love, which thoughts when based on the allness of Mind are right ideas. The first question the human mind always presents in this connection is, Should one allow himself to be imposed upon? Wherever the rays of the sun may fall or may not fall, their relation to the sun is never changed; they always reflect light; no form of darkness touches them. This illustrates as well as anything mundane can how one must maintain his unity with divine Love. Having one fixed desire to reflect toward his fellow man nothing but honesty, justice, and all the qualities of the divine Mind, one can refuse to let suspicion, hate, distrust, or any other shadow of sense testimony, impose upon him a sense of separation from God's government.

This attitude maintained toward one's fellow man makes it possible here and now to experience the joy and peace that result from a clear realization of man's unity with his Maker. This fact gives significance to the symbolical figure which John described as a woman clothed with the sun. Our Leader's works, with their light of spiritual understanding, show the rich apparel which the Scriptures provide for all. This apparel is essential in entering the kingdom of heaven, which is within and can only be reached by pure, spiritual thoughts based on absolute Truth.

Spiritually interpreted, Joseph's coat of many colors which aroused the envy of his brothers was the garment of right ideas reflected by Joseph. His brothers' acts were based on their belief in the reality of matter, which clothed them in envy and hate. These very acts on their part, however, gave to Joseph an opportunity to prove the practical nature of his vesture or attitude of thought; for when his brothers' false concepts finally led them into a condition of lack, Joseph's understanding of God was sufficient to supply their need. Having proved divine Love to be a complete protection from hate, he brought about the reunion of his family on the basis of this Love. Forgiveness, generosity, kindness, were the dyes that gave such gorgeous hue to his apparel, and Joseph's coat, together with the dominion he exercised, may be had by anyone who will make these Godlike qualities of thought his own.

Hidden resentments, deep sorrows, even a seemingly settled disposition to worry—in fact, every habit of evil thinking,—like an old garment, can be rolled up and cast away; for the promise reads, "As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed." All that is unjust, unlovely, or evil, lacks Principle and therefore shall perish; but all that is based on Principle shall endure. The evidence of the physical senses ceases to deceive those who, on the basis of the allness of Principle, refuse to put on the garment of its lies, and can consequently demonstrate the truthfulness of God's promises. No confusion concerning the right raiment remains long with one whose first desire is to keep his thoughts untainted by any belief in or dependence upon matter. It is because, as Mrs. Eddy explains on page 242 of Science and Health, "the divine Science of man is woven into one web of consistency without seam or rent," that one must base all his thoughts and acts on Principle; else, casting lots for his vesture—seeking the benefits of Truth without being obedient to Principle in the overcoming of the human mind and the pleasures and pains of sense—will bring its inevitable result of sorrow and shame.

Christian Scientists rejoice that through the study of the Bible in connection with the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," they are learning how to wash their robes white "in the blood of the Lamb." Day by day, hour by hour, joyfully they grasp each opportunity to replace wrong thoughts with right ones. Carefully they wipe out each stain of sense testimony with the affirmation of God's ever present, ever operative law of justice, joy, and peace, thus demonstrating the power of God to heal every form of sin and disease. Finding their own way out of all tribulation, they can assist others to see God's law and its practical operation in every human problem. Then when clad in white robes, the palm of victory in their hands, they can join with the great multitude spoken of by the Revelator as crying with a loud voice, "Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."

Copyright, 1919, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.