Whoever desires heaven must abandon sorrow. Joy is natural. It is of God. There are no sad saints, for whosoever is sad is separated from God. To attempt to be sorrowful in God's kingdom would be like insisting upon starvation in the midst of plenty. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Joy is first to greet the one who receives the healing of Christian Science. Old scars of sorrow are wiped out, sickness is destroyed, smiles take the place of frowns, and alertness quickens the step of the weary searcher for truth. This practical joy entering consciousness straightway starts a Christian Science house cleaning. In this work the beauty of holiness plays an important part, neatness comes into action, color finds harmonious placement, and a normal arrangement of mental activities prevails. No sooner has joy been received than the irresistible desire is experienced to give it out to others. The flower that opens its petals to the light of dawn expresses gladness and gives gladness.

Since joy belongs to God it can never be turned into grief, for God's gifts are as unchangeable as Himself. The Bible makes constant references to joy. After the Jews had rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah urged them to remember, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." The Christian Scientist reconstructing character and health for himself or another finds his strength in this same joy. Isaiah calls upon the waste places of Jerusalem to "break forth into joy." Patient and practitioner restoring the waste places of human consciousness to fertility break forth into joy. Jesus discoursing of the at-one-ment between himself and his disciples through their union with God said: "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

In the Master's life example we find this joy of the Lord constantly expressed. Though little understood by his contemporaries Jesus' real joy was in healing the sick, reclaiming the sinner, entering into the heart of nature, and ascending the spiritual mountain top. Jesus did not possess the material essentials of material happiness; therefore his spiritual joy must have shone out all the brighter. The world's standard of joy is a poor staff to lean upon, but spiritual joy stands the test of eternity. Spiritual joy staves off any injury which might come from malice. A spiteful spirit will outline punishment for others and endeavor to inflict harm, perhaps taking a false joy in so-called retributive justice, but God gives man no such duty. All judgment belongs to God. There can be no joy in revenge, no satisfaction, no profit, no success. Revenge is another name for hate, and loses itself in its own nothingness as a river loses itself in the sands of the desert. Revenge is one of the worst expressions of human character. It indulges in retaliation, spiteful satisfaction in a self-imposed duty. It grinds the joy out of the one entertaining vindictive thoughts and endeavors to suppress and kill the joy of those who show any happiness.

The joy of the Lord confers spiritual equipoise under the fire of persecution which all Christians encounter who are actively engaged in the work of God. The Master as well as the Founder of Christian Science passed unharmed through their trials. Their lives encourage those who are passing through this stage of progress not to be afraid of the pointed fingers of false accusation and the stones cast in anger. Peter comforted his fellow Christians by writing to them: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified." Christian Scientists, rejoice that your reputation, your good name, is in God's keeping. Human opinion cannot give reputation nor take it away.

The material senses receive many shocks while the spiritually minded are under the fire of spiritual progress, but subsequent events prove these experiences to have been wholesome. Many people have not learned how to impart happiness, and so remain joyless. The fountains of loving-kindness in their nature do not flow freely. Perhaps the first tendrils of affection have been blighted by misunderstanding; perhaps pride of purse, intellect, or family has dried out the streams which might inspire delight in others. Sometimes, too, the bitter waters of cynicism or sarcasm prevent the return of happiness from others, or the false decorum of scholastic theology stifles the gaiety which is natural to those who are really spiritually minded.

To live on the mount of revelation opens the way for continual messages of joy from God. These divine messages shed constant light for a higher ascension. Loyal Christian Scientists, obeying the call of Spirit, gratefully and lovingly following their Leader, have nothing but good awaiting them. Courageously marching forward they pass through the nothingness of evil into the glories of ever present bliss. They hear the inspired words of Mrs. Eddy: "Clad in invincible armor, grasping the sword of Spirit, you have started in this sublime ascent, and should reach the mount of revelation; for if ye would run, who shall hinder you? So dear, so due,to God is obedience, that it reaches high heaven in the common walks of life, and it affords even me a perquisite of joy" (Miscellany, p. 189). What must have been the joy of victory which came to Mrs. Eddy when the white ray of divine Science pierced the world's gloom for her! We enter into that joy of victory as we receive that light and are loyal followers of her leadership.

William D. McCrackan.