Proving is a primal obligation of Christian Scientists—proving the reality of good, proving man's heritage to all blessedness, proving his divine sonship. Early in their study they learn of the allness of God, good. Then there seems to come the necessity of proving this fundamental truth in every department of living, in family relations as well as elsewhere, if they would progress in the understanding of Christian Science.

It might seem, indeed, that nowhere is there greater need than in family affairs to follow Paul's counsel, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." Failure to follow this exhortation may appear to rob us of what is most tender and sweet in human experience. The bonds which should bring exchange of affection, tender consideration, loving consolation, when left to the shifting, restless demands of so-called mortal mind may become irksome fetters. Human kinship and parentage in themselves are no guaranty of sympathy and unity of thought. Children of human parents may be so unlike in tastes, disposition, and ability as to seem to have nothing in common. Yet, what is sweeter than the harmonious companionship of father, mother, son, daughter, sister, brother?

Proving these relationships, and holding fast that which is good in them, is one of the demands upon Christian Scientists along with all followers of Christ Jesus. Jesus on the cross, confiding his mother to the care of the disciple whom he loved—what greater example of tender filial affection and loving solicitude could be imagined? It is recorded that from that hour the beloved disciple took the mother of Jesus to his own home. From the accounts given of his life here on earth, it is clear that the Master was a dutiful and loving son, a ready and true friend, and a useful member of the community. He entertained an especial affection for the Apostle John; he evinced great friendship for Lazarus and his sisters; he entered into the social life of his fellows, as is shown by his presence at the marriage in Cana along with his mother and his disciples; he learned and practiced a trade, as did other young men of his station; in short, he participated in the life about him, enjoying its blessings and sweetness. He also healed its sorrows, sin, lack, losses, diseases, and disappointments. He proved all things, holding fast that which was good and overcoming that which was not good.

The Scriptural account will be recalled which tells how Jesus, ever quick to point a lesson from occurrences of the day, upon being interrupted while preaching to be told that his mother and brothers wished to speak with him, guided the thought of his hearers to the kinship of God and His spiritual creation as the one indissoluble relationship, by asking who were his actual mother and brothers, and then answering his own question with the declaration, "Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." At another time, when rebuking the scribes and Pharisees for their love of position and power and name, he endeavored to show them that all mankind were brethren, by lifting their thought to the recognition of God as the Father of all, counseling them to call no man father on earth. Christian Scientists are proving in their daily lives that the understanding of God, infinite Love, divine Principle, as their one source and relation, brings harmony and order into their earthly relationships. In a short article in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (pp. 278, 279), entitled "How Strife May Be Stilled," Mrs. Eddy has written, "God is Father, infinite, and this great truth, when understood in its divine metaphysics, will establish the brotherhood of man, end wars, and demonstrate 'on earth peace, good will toward men."

The story of Joseph and his brothers illustrates how jealousy, hatred, and treachery may be defeated by brotherly love. Through his unselfishness and forgiveness, Joseph was reunited with his father and brothers, and the wickedness of the latter was cast out. He was thus able to minister to them in their great need. Through his reflection of the divine qualities, he was able to bless those who had been his enemies, though brothers of the flesh, and to bind up the broken family ties. Is not such an incident a right beginning toward the establishing of universal brotherhood? What bond is there to bind together such a brotherhood except the universal exercise of brotherly love? How may we enter such a brotherhood except by proving worthy brothers? Brotherhood, like all else, must be proved. It can be established only on a spiritual basis, only by expressing the qualities of God, Spirit, thus demonstrating our divine sonship.

What a beautiful instance of brotherly love in business transactions is found in Abraham's proposal to Lot, when their prosperity made it necessary for them to separate in order to find pasture for their herds! True brotherliness, rather than a desire for material advantage, enabled the patriarch to say: "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left." It will be recalled that Lot chose the rich plain of Jordan, while the Lord promised to Abraham and his seed the land as far as the eye could see. The subsequent history of Abraham presents him as reaping the reward of righteousness and brotherly affection.

Mrs. Eddy's analyses of the characters of Joseph and Abraham, as given in the Glossary of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," are full of guidance for those who are seeking to progress out materiality to their true estate as the children of God. They show that right living, pure motives, and trust in good will triumph over every seeming obstacle.

"We be brethren"! What better motto could be selected for the world's business? Co-operation, not competition; service, not toil; helpfulness, not material gain! A right sense of business includes no prey, no victim, only brothers and sisters with a common purpose of furthering the universal good. On the first Sunday of each month, those present at any Christian Science service throughout the world hear read from the Manual of The Mother Church "A Rule for Motives and Acts" (p. 40), which includes the following statement: "In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet alone amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness." The Manual goes even farther and lays upon the members of The Mother Church the requirement to deal with all men in brotherly love: "God requires wisdom, economy, and brotherly love to characterize all the proceedings of the members of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist" (ibid., p. 77). The requirement is not merely applicable to church affairs and with fellow-members, but to all the proceedings of the members of The Mother Church with all men, at all times, under all conditions.

From time to time one hears the opinion voiced that the idea of the brotherhood of man is impracticable and impossible. Perhaps this is largely because people are less concerned about their own fitness to be useful members of such a brotherhood than they are about the unfitness of others. They fear that the establishment of a universal brotherhood would mean that they would be required to associate on a common footing with what is distasteful to them. Viewed materially, this objection may seem to be well taken. But how different the whole subject appears when from the Christian Science point of view, where all reasoning is from cause to effect, from perfect God to perfect spiritual creation, from the one divine Father to His universe peopled with His beloved children bearing the divine image and likeness! From this point of view, each one's chief concern should be to prove his own worthiness to be included in this holy brotherhood. Each one should seek to eliminate from his thinking and living all that claims to mar the divine likeness, all that hinders him from manifesting the loving qualities of his Father-Mother God.

How wonderful it is to understand that all we have to do under any circumstance, however vexing, is merely to demonstrate that man is the beloved child of God! If tried, reviled, misrepresented, maligned, misunderstood, all we need to do is to reflect divine Love, refusing to take offense, to be resentful, sorrowful, or revengeful, manifesting charity, kindliness, forgiveness, generosity, brotherliness. In the degree that we prove this divine sonship are we able to hold fast that which is good, to experience affection, harmony, contentment, happy relationships, in the face of seeming tribulation. In the degree that we bear a common likeness to the divine Mind do we prove that "we be brethren"—brothers, expressing in infinite variety the beauty, goodness, charm, loveliness, grace, wisdom, intelligence, bliss, and permanence of the eternal, universal Father.

Copyright, 1926, 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.