When the boy Jesus asked his parents (Luke 2:49), "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" he implied that his first interest lay in the realm of the spiritual. Thus early in his remarkable career he cultivated and attained the ability to maintain a correct view of God and man. He subsequently taught and proved that spiritual understanding alone brings real satisfaction, happiness, and peace.

"Dear reader." writes Mary Baker Eddy in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" p. 360). "which mind-picture or externalized thought shall he real to you,—the material or the spiritual? Both you cannot have. You are bringing out your own ideal, This ideal is either temporal or eternal. Either Spirit or matter is your model. If you try to have two models, then you practically have none."

In our contact and association with our fellow being's in the daily work-a-day world, differences of opinion on matters under discussion arise. Sometimes statements are made and steps taken that tend to offend. The mental atmosphere seems to grow thick and tense. Here is a challenge for the Christian Scientist to unveil the Christ, to hold to the perfect model in his thinking. He will do well to ask himself: "What is my attitude? Am I disturbed, impatient, and resentful? Am I seeing the imperfect model?" If so, the picture will be any thing but real and harmonious. Mrs. Eddy counsels us (ibid., p. 407), "Let the perfect model be present in your thoughts instead of its demoralized opposite."

Whatever confronts us within our own thinking, or consciousness, which is wrong has to be collected there. If we believe evil to be true, we cannot believe that God is ever present. Contrariwise, when we maintain a correct view of our fellow men, we demonstrate a better atmosphere. Where Truth is being demonstrated, there we shall find the best atmosphere in the world. Thus the temptation to hold our brother responsible for discordant conditions is overcome. The Apostle Paul wrote (II Cor. 10:7): "Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's."

Through the study of Christian Science we begin to learn and know what God is. Nothing does one so much good as this. We get at least a glimpse of God through perceiving the grand qualities of sonship, which express Him. At this point it is important to understand that Christian Science teaches that man is not a sinful, sickly mortal, but the image and likeness of God, His reflection. Being His spiritual idea, expressing only good, man is never in trouble with another idea, never dependent on another idea for anything, never deprived of anything by another. Man exists only to bless, because his Father, divine Mind, can only bless.

How can one make practical this understanding of God and man? By following earnestly and consistently the rules laid down in the textbook. Thus we shall gradually cultivate and gain sufficient spiritual understanding to overcome the difficulty. If the temptation to believe one has not enough understanding presents itself, let us remember Paul's words I Cor. 10: 13. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to beat it." This indicates that even if to oneself his understanding seems limited, yet the little one does know, if it be correct, will suffice to restore harmony and peace.

An experience a young student in Christian Science had will serve as an illustration. He was at the time the executive head of a small construction company which in turn was closely associated financially with a much larger company. It so happened that things were not going very well. A conference was called. Those in control insisted on the immediate liquidation of the smaller firm. This proposal filled the student with dismay and consternation, for it meant considerable financial loss to himself and his friends. However, the majority so ruled, and there seemed to be no alternative but to submit to the decision, however humiliating.

Upon adjournment of the meeting, the student retired to his room, where he was at first tempted to feel extremely resentful toward those apparently responsible for the unhappy situation. However, he realized that this state of mind was contrary to the little he had learned in Christian Science, and then he recalled Mrs. Eddy's question, previously quoted, "Which mind-picture or externalized thought shall be real to you?" Desiring to correct his thinking, he prayed in this wise: Man, as the likeness of Mind, is intelligent and discerning. As the likeness of Spirit, man is worth while and substantial. Man as the likeness of Soul is grand and noble. As the likeness of Principle, man is firm in the right and is just. Man as the likeness of Life is alert and ever active. As the likeness of Truth, man is honorable. Man as the likeness of Love is loving and kind. All of these qualities, constituting the real man and emanating from God, are indestructible and eternal.

The words of a familiar hymn in the Christian Science Hymnal came to his thought (No. 51):

The mental picture in the consciousness of the student was now altogether different, for he had succeeded in identifying himself and his brother man as God's own likeness. Thus refreshed and in perfect peace, he retired for the night.

When the group reassembled the following morning, it was at once clear that an entirely different atmosphere prevailed. The meeting was opened with the announcement that the decision hurriedly arrived at the previous evening was thoroughly unfair and that a new arrangement would be entered into which would be just and fair to all concerned. To the relief and joy of the student this was consummated without delay. Thus the frightening picture was blotted out.

How grateful we all are that it is death no part of God's plan or purpose that any of His children should either fail or be imposed upon. Christian Science has come to help us and to free us from all temptation to believe otherwise. Our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, writes in Science and Health (p. 249), "Let us accept Science. relinquish all theories based on sense-testimony, give up imperfect models and illusive ideals; and so let us have one God, one Mind, and that one perfect, producing His own models of excellence."