Christian Science feeds the hunger of the human heart, whatever that hunger may be. One widespread hunger, especially among young people, is for companionship. They feel that nothing but marriage can satisfy them. But this is not necessarily true. The desire for marriage is often explained as merely a biological urge. But it is more than that; it has its roots in the divided man, metaphorically described in the Bible as the result of Adam's deep sleep.

To heal this artificial division produced by physical sense and typified by Adam in the Scriptural allegory, one must understand the real man, God's spiritual image and likeness, who is complete in his reflection of the Father-Mother God.

Christian Science reveals this perfect man and makes spiritual identity, which includes both masculine and feminine qualities, the basis for the healing of a sense of incompleteness and loneliness. But it also provides for the successive steps of development by which the human self will eventually rise entirely above human instincts and beliefs and reach the state described by Christ Jesus when he said (Matt. 22:30), "In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."

Instead of going about in a predatory mood, which is repulsive, individuals should feed their hunger with the truths that identify them as God's ideas, perpetually at one with Mind, and not as mortals seeking satisfaction in union with human personalities. Then they will express the attractiveness which spiritual completeness possesses. This state of mind provides the basis for a truly happy human marriage. And it destroys the aggressive suggestion so generally accepted that life without marriage is bleak, a state of starved affections.

In the chapter entitled "Marriage" in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy declares that marriage will continue for the present, but she insists upon a purification of the institution of marriage. She says (p. 61): "The good in human affections must have ascendency over the evil and the spiritual over the animal, or happiness will never be won. The attainment of this celestial condition would improve our progeny, diminish crime, and give higher aims to ambition."

That marriage is not the answer to the longing for a sense of completeness is shown in the divorce rate and the many unhappy marriages which were not based properly on true values in the first place. The happiest marriage, the most lasting in mutual helpfulness and affection, is the one which is entered into by people who have already established in some degree their sense of spiritual completeness and of unity with the Father. Then there is more freedom to develop individual dependence upon God.

Men and women must learn through Science to find their all in God. They must lean upon Spirit for substance and support. Then they will be imbued with the spirit of giving, and their lives will be full and satisfied even humanly.

Mrs. Eddy says (ibid., pp. 60, 61): "Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind, and happiness would be more readily attained and would be more secure in our keeping, if sought in Soul. Higher enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal man."

Anyone who can distinguish between lust and affection is on the way to securing lasting happiness. True affection is a transitional quality derived from divine Love. It expresses obedience to Principle, respect of others, loyalty, and trust. It is capable of wonderful purity and unselfed devotion. Whereas lust is selfish and is actually dividing individuals while it is claiming to unite them.

Being carnal, lust is likely to show its true colors and turn into hate, even though it contends that it is love. Lust is predatory, cruel in fickleness, and always possessive. But real affection liberates.

Paul made a clear distinction between carnality and spirituality and their certain effects in human life when he said, "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom. 8:6). He counseled the Galatians (5:16), "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."

Sometimes the young person who desires to maintain a high moral standard is subjected to ridicule by those who have lent themselves as tools of the carnal mind and have deserted the standards set by Christian society. These upright individuals will do well to cling to their standard and patiently disregard the scorn of sensualists. Then they will help to hold the line of Christianity against immoral practices, which never actually satisfy but provoke to greater and greater animality.

Christ, God's ideal, feeds the hungry heart that turns to Soul for completeness. Truth deprives no one of satisfaction or companionship but meets these human needs on a lofty level of fulfillment. Completeness is a metaphysical issue, not a physical one. And, when it is demonstrated through Science, it leads humanity farther and farther out of materialistic beliefs, which have never brought happiness to the world, into the freedom of Christian idealism.

Helen Wood Bauman