One's objective is the goal or end which one is pursuing. One's hopes and efforts are directed toward the ideal one seeks to attain. Christian Science shows that a purely spiritual objective is more quickly attained than one which is tinged with materialism, because the spiritual goal is allied with omnipotent Spirit, God. Christ Jesus' objective was so high, so completely spiritual, that he attained it in a remarkably short period of time. In fact, the element of time disappears from one's struggles in the degree that material objectives are eliminated and spiritual aims are adhered to.

The Master's temptation in the wilderness teaches the great lesson that the real objective of one's life must be spiritual. Jesus' experience points to the danger of endeavoring to use spiritual means for merely material purposes. If the temptation to do this came to the highest thought, those of a lesser degree of spirituality can scarcely escape the same temptation.

It was Jesus' alertness to the subtle temptation to work for material ends that made it possible for him to detect and reject the impostor, material sense. Jesus had heard the divine voice saying (Luke 3:22), "Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased," and he clung to the demonstration of this ideal as the real purpose of his mission. He was to show all men how to prove their eternal son-ship with God as His likeness. This proof is also the objective of Christian Science.

Mary Baker Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 239), "The objects we pursue and the spirit we manifest reveal our standpoint, and show what we are winning." The spirit of humility, in which one calmly realizes God's allness and the perfection of man, even in the face of matter's threats of destruction, brings healing quickly. Whereas the willful demand for physical healing, losing sight of the need to demonstrate the genuine elements of health—obedience to God, purity, harmony—frequently prolongs the case. We need to approach the solution of our problems with great willingness to meet the spiritual demands these problems imply.

While a change of practitioners is sometimes wise, a too frequent change is likely to indicate a material objective on the part of the patient. Frequent changes may imply too that the patient is looking to person for healing, rather than to the divine Principle of health. The better way is for the patient to work diligently to keep his objective purely spiritual—the demonstration of real manhood—at the same time trusting God and the prayers of the scientific healer to help him realize that objective.

Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 345), "The Spirit bestows spiritual gifts, God's presence and providence." Divine Love offers all men what it has to offer—the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit, Divine Science, which includes every right concept, dispels the illusion of sickness and sin, of despair and limitation. Luke records that Christ Jesus once said to his followers (11:13), "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

An improved belief is indispensable proof that the Christ has come to thought and has caused materiality to fade in a measure from consciousness. But the better belief is not the real objective of scientific prayer; it is only incidental to the real goal of becoming conscious of man's immortal life in Spirit. The better belief is never a stopping place in the line of spiritual endeavor, but is only evidence that the mortal sense of life is becoming less real to the Scientist.

One dare not stop his active effort to reach the final goal—complete submergence in Spirit. Each demonstration of "God's presence and providence" should serve as a reminder that there is more work to do, more truth to know, more progress to be made.

In Science our objective and our basis of prayer are one—the spiritual perfection of life in God. How subtly so-called mortal mind would subvert our objective and attempt to make us use the pure truths of Science for merely material ends! More matter, better matter, lovelier matter, would sometimes claim to be our need; but our real need is invariably for spiritual ideas and qualities. And these, when demonstrated, take care of our human needs, for they transform human concepts and improve them. We must turn away from the flesh and its wants in order to keep our goal in the realm of Science. We lose sight of our problems in the wonder of spiritual light and freedom which Science reveals. It is then that release from mortal ills comes to us, and the truths of Science are practically proved.

Christian Science not only defines, but it makes possible the attainment of true objectives. This definition is as greatly needed as is the method of attaining reality. When we listen to Truth, we hear the same voice speaking to us that spoke to Christ Jesus, telling us that we are God's beloved sons. Like the Master, we must be loyal to our spiritual objective—the demonstration of our precious heritage of God's kingdom. As we are loyal to Truth, our progress will be assured. We shall awaken to our real and ever-present life in Spirit.

Helen Wood Bauman