One of the many problems which come to the student of Christian Science is that which deals with home conditions. Probably there is no one who has not at some time, in one way or another, had to face conditions in the home which were not as he would have them. It may be that the home is a happy one, but lack of sufficient material resources seems to exist, or perhaps discord is manifest among the members of the family. The study of Christian Science has possibly been the first step taken away from that doctrine or creed which has claimed generations of ancestors as well as present kindred; or it may be that the "last enemy" has entered the household and with one blow struck at the very foundations of the earthly home and left only grief and bitterness.

To those who are struggling with any one of these phases of mortal experience, what a sense of freedom is found in the statement made by Mrs. Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 254), "Pilgrim on earth, thy home is heaven; stranger, thou art the guest of God." The writer well remembers how, while yet a young man, in the orthodox church which he attended he would often hear remarks which referred to heaven as being our home. Now, through his study of Christian Science, this statement has been explained, and its spiritual significance gained in large measure. "Of course," says one, "I believe that heaven is our eventual home; but how does that affect my present problem?" In answering this question let us see what we find in the Glossary of Science and Health (p. 587) as Mrs. Eddy's definition of heaven. We there read: "Heaven. Harmony; the reign of Spirit; government by divine Principle; spirituality; bliss; the atmosphere of Soul." This points to something above and beyond any locality.

As any condition must be comprised in thought before it is manifested, so must our home be that which we make it in our consciousness. This statement may be questioned by some, but it will be easily understood if we observe the homes of different classes of people. What to one of intelligence and culture would seem a hovel, to a less highly educated individual would be all that could be desired. Again, to one of finer sensibilities, all must show perfect order and cleanliness, while confusion and even dirt would not in the least interfere with the happiness of one of grosser and more indolent habits. These illustrations make it very evident to the inquirer that home is merely the outward manifestation of that which is held in human consciousness.

Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is within you;" in other words, it is here in our midst. Harmony must therefore exist here and now, as a present fact; but we all have our part to do in order to realize the harmony, which is never absent from the divine Mind. We must resolutely turn from every argument that would suggest the reverse of harmony. If the problem is lack, then must we realize that Spirit is the only substance, the All-in-all of existence and the only source of supply. We need to know that man is the idea of Spirit, that we live because of Spirit, and are sustained by Spirit. If this truth is spiritually discerned we find that we are thinking of things in a more spiritual way than before, so our concept of home becomes more spiritual. In the degree of our faithfulness to this ideal do we become conscious of an abundance of all that is real, and we no longer seem to lack that which is essential even to our present well-being.

Should discord be manifesting itself between members of our family, if we have advanced beyond our former religious beliefs we only need to realize that God's ideas dwell together in perfect harmony. We can always realize that we are governed by Principle, and we surely know that Principle is absolute and final and always harmonious. Nothing but peace, harmony, and bliss can enter the individual consciousness guided by Principle, and we soon find that by following the bidding of Principle all discords are finally eliminated and concord reigns both in our thought and in our home. We cannot forever be misunderstood by those with whom we come in such close contact if we are striving daily to reflect more of Truth and Love.

If it happens that we have come into an understanding of the truth before those whom we cherish most dearly, yet our knowing and living the truth can only serve to help others find that which all must at some time know. The Scriptures say, "They shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest," and to know God, or Truth, is to come into the kingdom of heaven, to possess a perfect home. If tempted to mourn or lament for those who are no longer on our plane of existence, what a comfort to realize that all we ever really knew of them was in mind, not in matter. Matter neither loves nor mourns. Our love for others or our grieving for them is all mental. Then to remedy our sense of loss we must fill our thoughts with that love which is universal, that love which loves all mankind. God's ideas alone are worth loving and cherishing, and we know that His ideas can never be taken from us, for they are eternal. As we express more harmony, more spirituality, more love, we are bringing harmony permanently into our experience; in other words, we are, consciously or unconsciously, filling our homes, our surroundings, with completeness and happiness.

In proportion as we strive daily to come into closer touch with our Father-Mother God, as we willingly and gladly give up our own selfish desires as to what and where our home should be, and seek earnestly to express more love and patience, qualities which all must admit are necessary to true happiness and harmony, do we attain that mental state which is heaven here and now, and find the true home whose foundations are indestructible and eternal.