True idealism may be defined as the system of Christianity right thinking and right doing, based on the spiritual understanding of God and His creation. Throughout all ages there have been men and women who have sought the idealism which would stand the test of experience and fulfill their inward hopes. Mrs. Eddy writes in a very definite way on this subject; and in speaking of the work the Master, Christ Jesus, she says in "No and Yes" (p. 38), "He established the only true idealism on the basis that God is All, and He is good, and good is Spirit; hence there is no intelligent sin, evil mind or matter." And mankind is privileged to learn of it by reading the Christian Science periodicals.

A Christian Scientist is an earnest student of true idealism; and not only is he a seeker of the spiritual understanding of it, but he strives to express it in a Christianly practical manner. He regards the Bible as the great classic of true idealism. Our Leader was a deep and thorough student of the Bible; and she tells us that she referred to it constantly for guidance and inspiration, inasmuch as it was her sole teacher and textbook. It is reasonable to think, therefore, that she was under the influence of divine authority when she established and gave the names to each of the Christian Science periodicals (see The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 353).

These periodicals endeavor to express the true idealism of Christianity. Each has a distinct individuality, but their diversity does not detract in any way from their unified mission. The active, true idealism which is expressed in the Christian Science periodicals is the foundation of a permanent Christian consciousness. No character, no movement, no nation can achieve greatness or confer a blessing on mankind without it. While the intent of these publications is sacred and profound, their influence imparts Christian hope and joy, and freedom from the bondage of false trusts and erroneous thoughts. When one considers the discord and destruction which follow the false beliefs in the reality of matter and material methods, he cannot doubt that Christian Science with its teaching in respect to true idealism, is the God-ordained means for dissolving all error.

The universe of Truth is the real universe; and mankind is learning this great fact. The divine influence of Spirit in human consciousness constitutes the actuality of existence; and it is this which Christian Science teaches us to express. The periodicals proclaim the universal activity and availability of the true idealism taught by Christ Jesus. The need of mankind is for spiritual enlightenment, for spiritual love, and for practical instruction in the application of the Golden Rule, which the Master gave as a law for human conduct. Spiritual righteousness, not force, is might; and when the hungry hearts of our fellow-men are fed with this idealism, the process of adjustment are shortened, and right ideas, healthful bodies, glad faces, happy homes, and peace prevail.

The members of Christian Science literature distribution committees and many others can give numerous instances of the good work which the Christian Science periodicals have accomplished. They can tell of healings—mental, moral, and physical—which have resulted through reading the periodicals or through the reading introduction to the scientific meaning of the Bible, the Word of God. It is reasonable to believe that the progress and growth of the periodicals will be in proportion to the progress and growth of individual Christian Scientists in their understanding of the government of divine Principle or Love. If their thoughts are based on divine Principle or Love, their lives will be fundamentally right and progressive.

When we think rightly about the periodicals as universal Christian missionaries of true idealism, we can rightly co-operate with them. When we subscribe to them in obedience to The Mother Church Manual we are becoming identified in a constructive way with the Cause of Christian Science, and we are taking an advanced step in the demonstration of "Church" as described by Mrs. Eddy in our textbook (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 583). True Christian Scientists rejoice in the manifestation of progress and in appreciation of the periodicals, and they are lending their assistance to them in every consistent manner.

True idealism not only lifts up the divine standard, but encourages the individual to follow the metaphysical thought-processes with right deeds based on the teachings of the Master. It supports all that is divinely reasonable and good. It is spiritual, practical, and direct. It respects the identity and individuality of all of God's ideas. It sustains spiritual heroism, inculcating a loving firmness in the truth. Idealism has been expressed in a remarkable way in the past; but it was not until Mary Baker Eddy discovered and elucidated Christian Science that the Science of true idealism became known to mankind. She writes in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 217): "True idealism is a divine Science, which combines in logical sequence, nature, reason, and revelation. An effect without a cause is inconceivable; neither philosophy nor reason attempts to find one."

More than ever before, the leaders of world-wide affairs are now uttering the desire of the inhabitants of all countries for a true idealism. Let us keep the true, spiritual idealism of Christian Science and the universal character and mission of the united Christian Science periodicals ever before us. Then we shall better cooperate in their support and distribution.