In "The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table" by Oliver Wendell Holmes is found the following observation (p. 71): "When John and Thomas, for instance, are talking together, it is natural enough that among the six there should be more or less confusion and misapprehension."

One can imagine the startling effect of these words upon Mr. Holmes' listeners. But he proceeded to explain that there was first "the real John; known only to his Maker;" secondly, the John he thought he was; thirdly, the John whom Thomas knew. It was the same with Thomas, totaling six. He concluded (p. 72): "It follows, that, until a man can be found who knows himself as his Maker knows him, or who sees himself as others see him, there must be at least six persons engaged in every dialogue between two."

One can readily see how, because of the acceptance of the false concept of man as material, misunderstandings and conflicts develop as the group is enlarged to family, community, or even United Nations proportions. But students of Christian Science are not confused or apprehensive, for their thought has been enlightened by the revelation of Mary Baker Eddy. Gratefully, joyfully, thought turns to her words in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" where she says (pp. 476, 477): "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick. Thus Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is intact, universal, and that man is pure and holy."

We see then that one who knew himself and others as his Maker knows man to be—spiritual and perfect—appeared centuries ago. The things Christ Jesus did as the result of his understanding of man's perfection as God's likeness were so contrary to general belief they were considered miraculous. It was generally believed that the so-called miracles, which proved his teachings practical, were possible to him, perhaps, but not to others. In spite of his denial of any human ability of his own, many of his followers continued to see him as they thought he was. Only a few during his lifetime and ministry glimpsed the real man, his true selfhood.

It was John, the beloved disciple, who saw most clearly the ideal man, the Christ, which Jesus presented. So between Jesus and John, in their conversation and association, there was not a sense of six persons, but a clear understanding of each other's spiritual, eternal individuality and their at-one-ment with Mind. It was John who gave us, in evidence of this spiritual understanding, the glorious truth (I John 3:2,3): "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

Yes, the one who knew himself as his Maker knew him appeared centuries ago, but it remained for Mrs. Eddy to fully grasp this spiritual fact of divine sonship and share her revelation with the world in Christian Science. In words comprehensible to all she pictures the real man, God's man, on page 475 of Science and Health. She writes, in part, he is "the conscious identity of being as found in Science, in which man is the reflection of God, or Mind, and therefore is eternal." Our ability to see this man is in proportion to our willingness to put aside the false concept of man as mortal and behold, as Jesus did, the perfect man in God's own likeness.

In the light of the truths of God and man which Christian Science reveals, it need no longer be believed that when two are gathered together there are six. No longer need there be what John thinks or what Thomas thinks, but only man as God knows him.

It has been demonstrated numberless times that if only one person has this spiritual understanding, even according to the conclusion of Mr. Holmes, the supposititious number of conflicting thoughts is greatly reduced. This is discernible in lessened confusion and more harmonious activity. Not infrequently a student of Christian Science who has gained a clear understanding of man in God's likeness is asked: "What is it you have that I have not? You seem so calm and undisturbed." It is with real joy that one can briefly explain Mrs. Eddy's revelation of man and assure the inquirer of the calmness and joy which accompany a knowledge of man as he really is.

An understanding of the real man reduces misapprehension, misunderstanding, self-assertiveness, and self-glorification to their nothingness. It eliminates the erroneous beliefs of doubt, jealousy, greed, or competition and reveals the truth of being—one Mind and its idea, man, possessing by reflection all the qualities of his Maker, and all these qualities good. The potency of such knowing, even when applied to the smallest experience, is evident in the following illustration. A Christian Scientist upon boarding a public conveyance found it filled and a number of people standing. She stood near seats occupied by a woman and a very small child. The picture which presented itself for acceptance was that of a thoughtless and selfish mother who could very easily hold the child, thus allowing someone else to be seated. Quickly, however, this false concept was denied reality. Turning from the false picture, the Scientist knew that man, as God knows him, could not include these ungodlike qualities; neither could he behold a false concept of his brother.

A few moments later she was attracted by a movement and, turning, saw the mother lifting the child. She supposed they were leaving, but with a sweet smile the young woman moved into the seat the child had occupied. Gratefully the student sat down, but her gratitude was not so much for the seat as for the fact that she had been witness to the power of Love.

The truth of man which our Master saw and demonstrated has been revealed to us through Christian Science. Let us do as Jesus did —see and know only God's likeness, the man our Maker knows, the only man. Herein is healing for the individual, the family, the community, and the world.