To the question, "What is purity?" Christian Science answers that in the highest sense it is a primal quality of infinite, eternal Mind, divine Principle, called God, and is reflected in individual spiritual consciousness, or man. The demonstration of pure manhood exterminates every form of error or impurity. It restores to mankind health, peace, friendship, love, supply. The Bible implies this great truth in James (3:17): "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits."

An example of the ability of pure thought to achieve and bless is found in the life of Moses. The pure consciousness of Moses enabled him to discover and establish laws which have blessed mankind for centuries. The Ten Commandments are the basis of many laws which govern mankind today. The purity of thought which accompanied his discovery of God's law made an unforgettable impression on those who saw Moses at the time, so much so that the radiancy of his face was noted, as recorded in the thirty-fourth chapter of Exodus.

A healing transformation accompanied the revelation of Christian Science to Mary Baker Eddy. She was on what her friends and doctor believed to be her deathbed. As she read the account of Jesus' healing of the palsied man in the Gospel of Matthew (9:1-8), her recognition of the scientific divine Principle underlying this healing illumined her pure consciousness. This spiritual illumination brought healing, and she was enabled instantly to rise, dress, and join her waiting friends.

Principle transformed her life from one of ill-health and disappointment to one of tremendous achievement. It enabled her to establish a religion of healing based on Christ Jesus' teachings of God as divine Principle, Love, and of man as the expression of God's pure, eternal nature. It enabled her to set forth the Science and rules of this redeeming, healing Principle in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," which has blessed and is continuing to bless countless thousands. Here she says (p. 337), "In proportion to his purity is man perfect; and perfection is the order of celestial being which demonstrates Life in Christ, Life's spiritual ideal."

It was our Leader's purity of motive and affection that enabled her to establish a Church that is encircling the earth and to provide the Manual of The Mother Church, which forever assures that the Principle of her revelation will reach the consciousness of humanity in its pristine purity.

If one regards purity as a human quality that may be put on or off as expediency demands, the higher understanding of God as the Principle of purity is obscured. A teacher once asked his students if the statement, "Honesty is the best policy," were true. They answered, "Yes." But he said, "No; if it is only a policy it is not honesty." Failure to see God as divine Principle, Mind, and man as the pure expression of this Principle leaves one with neither motive nor basis for resisting the false, alluring claims of mortal mind. Not understanding the Science of being, thrusting aside the Principle of purity, mortals become shackled by false appetites and evil social habits.

True government, as true religion, has its source in the pure laws of God. A great need today is the understanding of that which constitutes true government. Government has become the world's biggest business. Its unprecedented growth has as yet not been equaled by an increased realization on the part of officials and citizens of the divine Principle underlying true government with its ensuing obligations. Government in many nations still finds itself bound by beliefs which modern business has long since discarded as obsolete. The rights of the public are often flagrantly disregarded. The practice of greed, deceit, bribery, trickery, dishonesty, and so-called political expediency would often cloud the divine Principle, or source, of true government.

As men increasingly recognize God to be the divine Principle of government and fulfill the individual obligations accompanying this recognition, they will no longer be subjected to the tyranny of mis-government. They will be enabled individually to free themselves from control by force and personality. They will be empowered to be worthy representatives of government by Principle and its laws. The leader and statesman standing for divine Principle in government has always been and will continue to be a source of inspiration to the youth and citizens of his country and the world.

In proportion to the purity of his consciousness is one able to discern God as Principle, maintaining and sustaining the universe and man through the law of divine Love. One who understands purity and its eternal Principle, Spirit, and actively expresses it, is imbued with harmony, foresight, and spiritual power. Steadfastness of purpose is added to his resolves, and achievement crowns his endeavors.

Through Christian Science, thought is purified until it ascends to the point where Life, Truth, and Love govern the aims and acts of mankind. Thought thus becomes immune to error and remains untouched by its false claims. One whose consciousness is thus illumined knows his spiritual individuality to be inseparably linked with the unfolding of Mind and its ideas. He understands the inherent purity of his individual spiritual identity to be ever fulfilling the divine purpose of a present, knowable Principle, God. Expressing purity in his daily affairs, he will be enabled to resist error, fulfill his ideals, realize his worthy ambitions, and effectively serve mankind.

Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health (p. 241): "One's aim a point beyond faith, should be to find the footsteps of Truth, the way to health and holiness. We should strive to reach the Horeb height where God is revealed; and the corner-stone of all spiritual building is purity." In Proverbs it is written (21:8), "As for the pure, his work is right."