Christian Science is showing mankind that righteous thinking and living are intensely practical—that strictly principled motives and conduct ally us with God, the conscious, living, divine Principle of all creation. In other words, this Science Is teaching people that goodness lived brings their lives into direct contact with the health, harmony, and guidance of divine Mind.

It is vitally important to understand this fact and cherish it, because at no time in history has it been more needed. The Christian Science Monitor is doing much to leaven the thought of mankind with truth by presenting the news as carefully and accurately as it can and maintaining a high standard for its advertising columns. But some of the media confront us with so many half-truths or outright lies that we should be constantly on guard to defend our integrity. We can do this by spiritually understanding and persistently expressing the purity of man's real identity as the image and likeness of God, immaculate Truth.

A columnist in a prominent newspaper remarks that we learn to automatically discount the extravagant claims of many advertisers and the promises made by certain politicians during their election campaigns. And, unhappily, experience has taught us to be wary even of statements by apparently responsible officials at press conferences. The columnist writes, "Maybe we have become so accustomed to accepting mendacity as a normal condition of life that we assume it is natural for everybody to lie to us, even our best men." ^{The New York Times, March 11, 1971;}

This corroding influence must be halted before it destroys all credibility in business and public life. It seems to persist because of the age-old myth that the end justifies the means—that somehow a wise, happy, or profitable goal can be reached through dubious channels.

Christian Science offers the really effective deterrent to dishonest conduct. It teaches that human happiness or misery is the direct result of thought—that human experience, both individual and collective, is a mental phenomenon corresponding positively or negatively to the quality of the thoughts entertained. As Science leavens the thought of mankind, the destructive effect of lies—even little white ones—will be recognized. It will be generally understood that all forms of dishonesty disturb and darken human thought. They rob it of the spiritual qualities that attune it to the goodness of God, and that lead to health, harmony, and success. Mary Baker Eddy states incisively in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: "Honesty is spiritual power. Dishonesty is human weakness, which forfeits divine help." ^{Science and Health, p. 453;}

The belief that man is an animal motivated by selfish instincts— who at times willfully by fair means or foul pushes his way to his chosen goal—is the basic error. This fundamental falsity can be healed as mankind are willing to understand God and His creation and consciously yield to His government. We yield as we recognize that God is the only Mind and Life of man, and the source of all real thought and action.

Yielding to Truth is effective prayer. As each individual willingly surrenders a false sense of himself and claims his unity with God, he is contributing to the eventual rule of Principle on earth. His scientific prayer is leavening the thought of mankind and helping others to see the importance of obeying the law of good.

Mrs. Eddy leaves us in no doubt as to the right course: "Human will must be subjugated. We cannot obey both God, good, and evil,—in other words, the material senses, false suggestions, self-will, selfish motives, and human policy. We shall have no faith in evil when faith finds a resting-place and scientific understanding guides man. Honesty in every condition, under every circumstance, is the indispensable rule of obedience." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 118;}

High policy in commerce or government may pressure an individual to desert his ideals. One may fear that his position is in jeopardy unless he tells lies to order.

This situation actually occurred in the experience of a young Christian Scientist who was employed in a large organization. When asked by the sales manager to write a letter falsifying certain facts, he was on the point of compliance, when the inner voice of Truth spoke to his thought and urged him to take his stand for Principle. This he did, and never afterward was he asked to perform a dishonest act. What's more, he gained the respect of his manager and associates.

When explaining the parable of the sower, Christ Jesus indicated that the seed symbolized the Word of God, the truth that heals and purifies thought. He also said that the good ground on which this seed fell typified those "which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." ^{Luke 8:15.}

Invariable truth-telling is the human manifestation of the unchanging Rightness of God, who is the infinite selfhood of Truth. To see this fact and obey its implications is the very essence of practical wisdom. Good thoughts are Godlike thoughts, and they alone lead to satisfactory and lasting results.

Alan A. Aylwin