The theory that humanity is inevitably at the mercy of pain and suffering, loss and failure, is contrary to the teaching of Christ Jesus, and it is wholly refuted in Christian Science. Personal sense, acting from the basis of belief in matter, is solely responsible for all disabilities from which mortals suffer, and the remedy is available. On page 273 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," Mary Baker Eddy writes, "The ultimatum of life here and hereafter is utterly apart from a material or personal sense of pleasure, pain, joy, sorrow, life, and death." In these words it is clearly set forth that what applies to the future applies no less to the now. In human conjecture and mortal planning the ultimate is obscure; but in spiritual knowing, the divine power and presence are here, offsetting all material sense of existence, all belief in evil as real.

The expert builder, the accomplished musician, the experienced writer, has won success by wise and careful selection. His achievement is due to his alertness and his judgment. Likewise the true metaphysician. He selects thoughts that are pure and honest, loyal to divine Principle, merciful and just towards his fellow man. He is awake to the arguments of personal sense, pride and self-pity, ambition and envy, knowing that these lead to an ever-widening separation between him and God. Thus in confidence and security he finds himself day by day nearer to his divine ideal—the ultimatum of life.

In every human experience, the choice must be made whether it is to be material personal sense or spiritual sense which animates one; whether it is to be the acceptance, even partially, of the methods and the motives which constitute mortality, involving limitation, discord, failure; or whether, standing unequivocally with Principle, men will select only qualities of Mind for the work they have to do.

We may seem to be faced with tasks of great magnitude, involving demands beyond what we believe ourselves humanly capable of accomplishing. At such times we can well remember Jesus' rebuke to Peter, who had come walking to him on the water. Taking Peter by the hand as he began to sink, Jesus said to him, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" Not the difficulty of the task but Peter's lack of trust had threatened his undoing.

A young man in the last year of college suddenly found himself questioning not only his ability to pass his final examination, but even the value of his preparatory work. He had studied faithfully and confidently during previous terms, yet like Peter, looking away from Truth, he found himself sinking into a panic of fear. The brief, profitable vacation that had been planned appeared impossible in this altered sense of things. Nothing but a concentrated, feverish preparation for what lay ahead, dictated itself. And even then the task looked hopeless, with so much still left undone.

It was pointed out to the young man that this was the argument not of faith but of doubt. Christian Science had proved to him countless times that the way to success was not through fear and pressure but through trust and tranquillity; that while industry and intelligent waiting on Mind for the application of it were essential, the plan he was about to adopt did not proceed from Love or wisdom. He caught the meaning of the lesson that had come to Peter on the water. He looked up from the whirling, menacing argument of personal sense threatening to engulf him. He felt the steadying, uplifting touch of Truth. From that moment all pressure, all fear, all temptation to feverish overexertion were left behind. He took his brief vacation with gratitude and the assurance that there was no ultimatum which could not be safely left in God's care.

A few weeks later, with what seemed an almost miraculous serenity and ease, in comparison with the strain and anxiety of so many around him taking part in the same experience, he passed his examinations, and with outstandingly brilliant results.

On page 101 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy writes: "The scientific sense of being which establishes harmony, enters into no compromise with finiteness and feebleness. It undermines the foundations of mortality, of physical law, breaks their chains, and sets the captive free, opening the doors for them that are bound." On how swiftly and completely we discern and repudiate the currents and whirlpools of personal sense depends our ability to walk over the waves, to maintain the ultimatum of life. The selfish or fearful planning which mortal sense demands for its pleasure and seeks for its refuge from suffering will then have ceased.

He who is directed of God finds that the humanly impossible can become the divinely possible; that in the place of feebleness there is strength; fear gives way to confidence; confusion to quietness. He envisages the ultimatum of life not as afar off. He knows that it is here.

Evelyn F. Heywood