"Rejoice Evermore" IRVING C. TOMLINSON, CSB          Perhaps no comment about Christian Scientists is more frequently made than that they are a happy people, and this abiding joy is explained in great measure by the fact that a permanent radiance must needs be reflected in the face of those whose consciousness is filled with hope and gladness. They are faithful to the Bible injunction, "Rejoice evermore." There is no surer sign of fidelity to the Scriptures and loyalty to the life of the Master, than the reflection of peace and good cheer by his followers. It is significant that the Bible contains something like forty different Hebrew and Greek words for joy, happiness, and their synonyms, and a reader of the Psalms readily recalls how many of these songs are devoted to praise. Few incidents in Mrs. Eddy's career seemed to bring her more joy than her gift to her followers of Christian Science hall in Concord, and on the walls of the upper room in this beautiful temporary church home, remodeled from an old mansion, she had these lines inscribed: — Daughter of Zion, awake from thy sadness, Awake, for thy foes shall oppress thee no more; Bright o'er thy hills dawns the day-star of gladness; Arise, for the night of thy sorrow is o'er.          The writer recently had an opportunity to put in practice this Christian Science thought of rejoicing evermore, when a weighty sense of burden, which in the old way of thinking might have been described as a feeling of depression, seemed manifest. A simple yet instantly effective antidote was found in applying a thought of gratitude for the many blessings bestowed by divine Love. To recall what a happy people Christian Scientists are, is to recognize the reason for their joy. Indeed, it is not natural nor normal that any child of God should manifest anything but joy. Emerson's happy faith led him to say, "All I have seen, teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen."          In God there is only life, love, peace, and joy; therefore His child is the possessor of naught else but good cheer. Doubt, gloom, and impatience can be banished by reflecting the good, for their manifestation, not being of God, cannot be real. We need to know that we cannot be imposed upon by any darkened sense, and that in reality eternal life is our heritage. We shall confidently abide in the light when we fully recognize the realities of God's creating; for truly beholding these, we can have no consciousness of darkness. In Genesis we read: "God said, Let there be light: and there was light." Remembering his blessings, in this way one can lift his head "above the mist" into the sunshine of light and joy, and become a member of the glad company who "rejoice evermore." To the joyous, sufficient for each day is the good thereof; and the psalmist's words are ever theirs: "Thou art the God of my strength."          Humanity are not infrequently robbed of the joy which belongs to them through false fears of misfortunes which they anticipate without sufficient reason. The earnest and sincere students of Christian Science have learned to trust in the supremacy of divine Love, hence their joy abides. Their experience leads them to appreciate that wise and witty aphorism of the American poet, who says: "Let us be of good cheer, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never happen." Recalling the misfortunes of those who have not the light of Truth, we should seek with renewed earnestness to use the privilege which is ours: of bringing comfort, joy, peace, and health to "those who sit in darkness," and thus, as the poet enjoins, — Make some other life more happy By the life you live. Make some other heart more steadfast Through the help you give. Through the gladness shed around you Yours shall be the gain For the life for others given Is not lived in vain.   "'Rejoice Evermore'" by Irving C. Tomlinson, CSB Christian Science Sentinel, January 25, 1913

 

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