In the world today there are many individuals, especially those unacquainted with the teachings of Christian Science, who believe that man is born of the flesh; that he is living in a wholly material universe, or perhaps a universe both material and spiritual, and that the inhabitants of this universe are subject to many hardships and disasters over which they have no control. To such, the study of Christian Science offers glorious enlightenment and satisfaction.

Through the perusal of the various writings of our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, one glimpses the real creation, a creation consisting of spiritual ideas unfolding in human consciousness and bringing to light the real man, dwelling eternally in the realm of Love, where harmony reigns.

Then, having gained a glimpse of the real creation, the student of Christian Science is enabled to demonstrate, in constantly progressive steps, the fact that man is not subject to matter and its seeming conditions. With this awakening it is possible to prove here and now that man dwells under God's protection, in an atmosphere of eternal joy, happiness, and abundant health. This thought is beautifully expressed in a verse from one of our loved and inspiring hymns in the Christian Science Hymnal (No. 144):

A clear realization of God's love and protecting power came to a salesman, a student of Christian Science, a number of years ago during a devastating tornado. While on his way to see a prospective customer in an outlying section of the city, he suddenly became aware of an impending storm. At once a great sense of peace and security was felt as he recalled the words of the Psalmist: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." Holding steadfastly to the words of this much-loved Psalm, he felt directed to stop at a garage to have some minor adjustments made on his car. Within a very short time a tornado had passed, and, although the entire section of the city to which he had planned to drive lay in utter waste and ruin, the garage and its occupants remained unharmed. This student by looking away from false material evidences and silently communing with the Father was able to prove, in a measure, Love's ever-present protection. Certainly it is a joy to know that in reality God's children are always sheltered in Love's atmosphere, where the storms and tempests of mortal mind beat in vain.

Christian Scientists today are striving to overcome every phase of material belief by placing complete reliance on the healing power of the Christ. One is often tempted to believe that a physical healing might be more readily accomplished were he placed in more healthful or harmonious surroundings. What a comforting sense of relief comes with the assurance that no change of location or environment is necessary to nullify unhealthy or discordant conditions! The consecrated Christian Scientist soon learns that it is not necessary for him to flee to mountaintops or to a different climate in order to regain health, for divine Love is ever present, ready and waiting to heal and to bless. Yes, to heal and to bless! One must be ready and willing, however, to let divine Love silence every suggestion of error that presents itself. In God's kingdom, the kingdom of Love, there are not two powers, good and evil, but one only, and that one good. When we open our consciousness to this fact, we rise toward that spiritual elevation of thought where matter fades into oblivion and spiritual harmony reigns.

One of the fundamental needs of the world today is a clearer perception of the spiritual relationship between God and man, His perfect likeness. As one grows in the knowledge of Christian Science, he recognizes man as the highest expression of God, and learns to radiate love, kindness, tenderness, and honesty in all his affairs, whether in the home, the business, or the church. Proportionately as we see man in this true light are we able to entertain harmonious relationships in our associations with each other.

A constant vigil is necessary, however, to keep up one's defense against erroneous suggestions, for mortal mind would have one believe in a world engulfed in fear, hatred, and greed, a universe utterly opposed to the divine creation. One must lift his thought above this seeming mist, which would obscure the spiritual vision, and realize that material evidences can never be relied upon. "To strike out right and left against the mist, never clears the vision," Mrs. Eddy writes in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 355); "but to lift your head above it, is a sovereign panacea."

Members of Christian Science churches have a compeling, although a joyous task ahead of them, a task that requires much self-abnegation, compassion, and tolerance on their part if they are to realize the full fruition of our Leader's prediction on page 22 of "Pulpit and Press," where she writes, "If the lives of Christian Scientists attest their fidelity to Truth, I predict that in the twentieth century every Christian church in our land, and a few in far-off lands, will approximate the understanding of Christian Science sufficiently to heal the sick in his name."

Our church grows and prospers only as the members' lives attest the healing power of Christian Science. Love for God and man is an essential requirement on the part of Christian Scientists, individually and collectively, for the true growth and progress of our Cause. Each should guard his thought constantly; and if he find therein any unjust criticism or condemnation of his fellow man, he should instantly deny and reject these suggestions, and fill his heart with love, kindness, and forbearance; for inharmonies cannot be banished from human relationships so long as one refuses the regenerating influence of God's love in his own heart. One should ask himself frequently: Am I putting forth a sincere effort to love as Jesus loved? Am I forgiving my brother as Jesus admonished, "until seventy times seven"? Such a mental attitude will dissipate all unrighteous thinking, such as indifference, personal satisfaction, procrastination, selfishness, or any other phase of mortal mind, and will draw all mankind to our churches.

For each one to abide in the consciousness of holy love will indeed clear away the seeming mist of material obstructions and prove the statement of Mrs. Eddy in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 260), "Pure Mind gives out an atmosphere that heals and saves."