On page 514 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures'" by Mary Baker Eddy, we read: "Moral courage is 'the lion of the tribe of Juda,' the king of the mental realm. Free and fearless it roams in the forest. Undisturbed it lies in the open field, or rests in 'green pastures,... beside the still waters.'"

Mrs. Eddy stands out as a shining example of moral courage. For years she faced alone the world's ridicule, persecution, and hate before others came forward to help her establish the Cause of Christian Science. The carnal mind, recognizing its destroyer, resisted by every possible means the publication of her divinely inspired textbook containing the final revelation of Truth, with definite rules for demonstrating the Principle of Christian healing. Later she incurred and triumphantly surmounted further opposition in establishing her church and building it upon the rock of Christ-healing. Our Leader's clear insight into the spiritual facts of being enabled her to express moral courage and continued to bring her security and calm in many severely trying situations.

Just as the understanding of man's true status as God's reflection, governed solely by divine Principle, supported Mrs. Eddy's sublime faith and dauntless courage in those pioneer days of Christian Science, so can this understanding enable every faithful follower of our Leader's teachings to maintain the freedom, fearlessness, and calm of true moral courage and therein surmount any argument of the carnal mind which claims to obstruct spiritual progress.

Moral courage, the courage to do in wisdom's way what conscience tells us is right, regardless of any overt or covert opposition, fear, or indifference, is essential to a satisfactory solution of any problem in Christian Science. And when governed by a true spiritual motive, that of expressing unyielding allegiance to divine Principle, Love, such courage cannot, under divine law, ever fail to bless. The writer had a striking example of this many years ago which has stood out as a beacon light in many different situations. After being accepted in an authorized teacher for class instruction in Christian Science, he found that the class was to hold its sessions in the daytime, instead of in the evening as he had expected and as was sometimes done at that time. Being so placed in business that to ask for the time off for this purpose would almost certainly imperil his position, he had a struggle for several days before reaching the decision, come what might, to make the request.

And then occurred one of those wonderful unforeseen happenings so familiar to Christian Scientists. Within a couple of hours of the time he had set for making the request, a vacancy in another firm, entirely unsought, and unheard of until that moment, presented itself. The outcome was that the problem was solved without his having to ask time off from anyone, there being exactly two weeks free for the class instruction between his giving up the old position and taking on the new. Moreover, after years of drudgery and unpromising prospects in his former position, the new work opened out at once into an unusually interesting business career attended throughout by pleasant connections and progressive success.

In our contacts with others—in our private, social, and business lives, in our church work, and in local, national, and world affair— error often argues that it would seem much easier and be much more sensible to side with the inconspicuous rather than to take our stand for Principle. It hints that right decisions and actions may lead to criticism, misrepresentation, and unpopularity, even to actual loss or danger. But if the call of divine Principle is heard as clearly as it came to Joshua (Josh. I:6), "Be strong and of a good courage," dare we hold back, knowing as we do that God is omnipotent and rewards every right thought and act? Dare we fail to heed the warning of our Leader's words (Miscellaneous Writings, pp. 339. 340), "One backward step, one relinquishment of right in an evil hour, one faithless tarrying, has torn the laurel from many a brow and repose from many a heart"?

After all, why should we lack moral courage? Whatever the problem or the situation, be it small or large, individual or collective, all the power of the universe, all the might of divine Love, is on the side of right. Moral cowardice, apathy, timidity, do not bless and prosper. They keep one in bondage to anxiety, remorse, limitation. But what a deep sense of security and calm is inherent in Mrs. Eddy's concept of "the lion of the tribe of Juda": "Free and fearless it roams in the forest. Undisturbed it lie in the open field, or rests in 'green pastures,... beside the still waters.'" This freedom and tranquillity belongs to divine Mind, and is reflected by man, to whom God gave dominion over all the earth.

Let us then accept this "lion of the tribe of Juda" into our mental homes, that it may lie down with the lamb of Love. The strength of moral courage ensures our peace. Let us firmly stand with it against every raging or subtle attack of error, until sooner or later the triumph of Truth becomes manifest, and the allness of divine Love is demonstrated.