Manhood

ALBERT F. ENGEL

"A Knowledge of evil was never the essence of divinity or manhood." So writes Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 537). The manhood aspired to by most men is not in the main allied to divinity, because it is largely allied to the hypotheses underlying physical education and training. Human knowledge is vague and conjectural. Hence, spirituality and true manhood are seldom conjoined in human thought or experience until, through the study of Christian Science, spiritual regeneration begins in human consciousness. A higher ideal and a clearer sense of true individuality forward acceptance of the scientific truth that the real man is the image or likeness of God, forever spiritual, not depending upon nor issuing from matter. Human birth, growth, and experience involve "a knowledge of evil," based on the theory that life is in matter and that matter has creative power.

The Scriptures record that the patriarch Samuel, in obedience to God's command, visited Jesse in Bethlehem, to appoint one of his sons king of Israel. When Eliab, the eldest son, appeared before him, Samuel was for a moment tempted to believe that he was the chosen one. This is evident from the fact that "the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." Seven sons of Jesse passed before Samuel, but he accepted none of them to be anointed as king. When, however, David, the youngest son, was brought to him, Samuel knew by spiritual intuition that his mission had been accomplished; and the voice of Truth within him said, "Arise, anoint him: for this is he."

No material investiture caused or governed the spiritual choosing of David; and it is noteworthy that the same divine law which triumphed through the enlightened thought of Samuel may today be brought into operation in individual consciousness through the understanding of Christian Science. In this Science, true manhood is determined solely by the divine qualities which eternally accompany a spiritual understanding of God as the only Life. In proportion as mankind awakens—that is, in the degree that the new spiritual birth is manifested through the intelligent utilization of such qualities as goodness, purity, humility, and love—will the all-inclusiveness of God be demonstrated. Thus is the essence of true spiritual manhood recognized.

Our Leader has said (Science and Health, p. 430), "Mortal mind must part with error, must put off itself with its deeds, and immortal manhood, the Christ ideal, will appear." This is a divine law, obedience to which enables us to prove that infinite Mind imparts strength, vitality, freedom, and energy to all impartially.

A certain student when first taking an interest in Christian Science had for some time been under the false impression that because its Discoverer and Founder was a woman this religion must appeal and belong more especially to women. An improved perspective was unfolded, however, and the clearer vision caused the seeker to comprehend that it is the duty and privilege of all Christian Scientists—men, women, and children—to bear witness to true manhood and womanhood. It was further seen that this intelligent reflection of God must continue to unfold with each of us till as the Scriptures say, "we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

From this teaching it is plain that neither physique nor age constitutes any part of true identity. To learn the Science of being and to make this Science the active rule of life is the one divine way of salvation form the vicissitudes of finite personal sense. Mrs. Eddy's exact conformity to this higher spiritual requirement enabled her to prove her true identity as the reflection of God, Principle, divine Love, and infinite intelligence. She wrote (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 206): "The advancing stages of Christian Science are gained through growth, not accretion; idleness is the foe of progress. And scientific growth manifests no weakness, no emasculation, no illusive vision, no dreamy absentness, no insubordination to the laws that be, no loss nor lack of what constitutes true manhood."

Love for God and man is the certain means of attaining to true manhood. An earnest effort to become as "the Son of God" through a clearer witnessing "of the fulness of Christ," Truth, transcends all physicality and leads to divine heights.

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