To a world in which standardization, controls, and restrictions seem to be threatening to subdue men's individuality, Christian Science brings a message of reassurance. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes (p. 116), "If the term personality, as applied to God, means infinite personality, then God is infinite Person,—in the sense of infinite personality, but not in the lower sense." Man is the individual expression of this infinite Person.

True personality, then, is not something which is developed by the subtle use of doubtful characteristics. It is not some facade which covers up our shortcomings and smooths over a sense of inferiority and inability. It is the increasing reflection of the nature of God in one's experience: the development of one's true nature as a son of God. How do we turn from the cultivation of a false sense of personality to the establishment of true personality or individuality in our experience, and how do we identify the true individuality of those around us? Discernment of individual worth is seeing someone as he really is — the idea of God. This seeing of the true man is done through spiritual sense, "the spirit which is of God," that, Paul said, we have received (I Cor. 2:11). Thus we see our fellow men as ideas of God, reflecting the Father.

The prophets, spiritual seers, discerned this truth of man; Christ Jesus taught it and healed by its application. In Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy says of Christ Jesus (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."

We could never be deceived into thinking that individual numbers lose their identity. Would we be foolish enough to think that 2, 3, and 4 had become so much like 5 that 5 had absorbed them? Would we accept the argument that 5 is much better than the other three? No, of course not! Why, then, do we accept lies about ourselves and others?

We need not be fearful that we shall be swamped in the rush of industrial monopoly, totalitarianism, and collective living if we do not develop our human personalities along generally accepted lines. We need only claim our individualities as sons of God and banish the suggestion that we are mortals or can be absorbed. Right now we are endowed with true personality, unhampered spiritual individuality. All we need do is claim real selfhood for ourselves and others and in so doing bring into our own experience larger usefulness and more colorful activity.

A Christian Scientist was appointed to a supervisory post in an office where about eighty young women were employed. To her disappointment, she soon found that her immediate superior, preferring to give her place to another, was not giving her the right work in the department. This state of affairs could not continue, and at the end of one day, which had seemed to be particularly difficult, the Scientist turned in prayer to God. She saw clearly that man as a reflection of God cannot do other than express at all times the qualities of God and that discord and restriction do not exist in God's realm, in which man lives.

Shortly afterward reorganization of the office resulted in the Christian Scientist's position being entirely changed, and later, further promotion which necessitated a change of department was awarded her. When this took place the Scientist was praised for her handling of the employees in her charge by the one who had originally caused her unhappiness. Thus the healing was complete.

Whether we are working in an office, in a shop, at home, or in any of the many places in which men find employment, we can claim our true personality, our unhampered expression of joy, poise, composure, alertness, sympathy, fidelity, and so on. Then we shall not feel that we must strive to develop our personality on a material basis to ensure success and progress; but rather hold on to that which we know to be our birthright, namely that we are here and now the individual expressions of God at all times.

As we do this, not only shall we enlarge our vision, but we shall also embrace in our thinking all those with whom we come in contact and in some measure help to bring the kingdom of heaven into human experience.