Right Social Standards ALBERT F. GILMORE, CSB          Comparison of the social standards of the present day with conditions which existed before the Christian era must convince one of the great progress toward true idealism which has been made in the intervening centuries. Many social customs which obtained in that ancient time would not be tolerated in civilized countries today. Despite many wrongful conditions which still remain to mar the harmony and well-being of society, the hour hand of civilization has moved far forward on the clock face of human experience. None can gainsay that the beneficent influence of Christianity upon mankind, both individually and collectively, is quite beyond the possibility of estimation. Yet much remains to be done before that happy day when society shall actually be founded upon Christ's Christianity, and men do as they would be done by.          The student of Christian metaphysics is convinced that society will never reach its goal, will never fulfill its highest purpose, until humanity is willing to adopt the standards set forth by the Founder of Christianity, and men are willing to labor unselfishly, seeking their own good in doing good to others. In the half century since Christian Science became an active agency for good, much progress has been made in many social relationships and customs. The enhanced solicitude exercised in the care of the so-called unfortunate, the improved conditions of labor, the greatly improved relations between employers and employees, the constantly increasing good will between nations, prohibition in the United States and the curbing of the liquor business in many countries, the improved social status of women, including the right of suffrage, the increase in longevity — all these and many other conditions possible of citation point unmistakably to the working of the leaven of Christ, Truth, in human consciousness, toward the establishment of God's kingdom on earth.          Christian Scientists, above all others, are awake to the necessity, individually, of maintaining the highest standard of conduct in all social relationships. On page 10 of "No and Yes" Mrs. Eddy uses these words: "The two largest words in the vocabulary of thought are 'Christian' and 'Science.' The former is the highest style of man." The "highest style of man" must be he who not only entertains the highest ideals founded upon spiritual truth, but he who also to the utmost lives up to the high standards he has accepted as his ideal. These exalted motives must obtain in all his activities, in all his aims and plans; for he can by no means live up to the standard of Christianity while living unto himself alone. His relations to mankind are intimately involved in the fulfilling of his Christian obligations.          In the present it seems there is especial need for the highest standards of living in our social relations. Modern conditions of life have become so complex that the demands upon the individual are greater than ever for honesty, purity, selfless devotion to the common welfare. Upon Christian Scientists, accordingly, there devolves a peculiar responsibility. To them has been revealed the way of life, the spiritual meaning of existence, and the obligation of Christians to reproduce so far as possible the standard of thought and demonstration taught and exemplified by Christ Jesus. Christian Scientists give special heed to our Leader's words in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 57). "Chastity," she declares, "is the cement of civilization and progress. Without it there is no stability in society, and without it one cannot attain the Science of Life." Strong words! Do we accept them at their full value? Are we taking into consideration the facts so clearly stated, that without the exercise of this virtue spiritual progress is impossible?          Our Leader likewise places great emphasis on purity, that quality which signifies separation from fleshly desires and longings. Since purity pertains only to the things of Spirit, it denies sensuous pleasure in toto. How clearly Paul understood the necessity of living above the beliefs of sensuous pleasure! In a familiar passage which appears in his letter to the church in Philippi he set this forth in detail — even went so far as to state specifically the things upon which the followers of the Master should set their thought, namely, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and "of good report;" and he closed his enumeration with this exhortation: "If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."          How definitely did the Apostle to the Gentiles catalogue the things upon which we should hold thought, the things worthy for a disciple of the pure-minded Jesus to dwell upon, that is, to hold in consciousness! Can there be any doubt as to the tremendous impetus in the fulfillment of Christian idealism which society would receive through the general adoption of this standard of thought and its resultant action?          Christian Science teaches practical Christianity. Christian Scientists set the standard for the whole world in the exemplification of true idealism. Not in one direction, not alone in a few, but in all the complex activities of life must it be lived, if we would fulfill the Master's injunction, and sustain the standard set by our beloved Leader. How high she set the standard of Christian idealism as applied to social relations! How great the possibility of progress in spiritual attainment which she foresaw for society ordered in accord with true Christian ideals! The recognition of one infinite God, good, the basis of the Master's teaching, she saw as the very foundation of true social relationship. Among the beneficent results she foresaw that such recognition of the one infinite God, good, annihilates all that is "wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed" (Science and Health, p. 340). Our Leader anticipated the complete establishment of righteousness among men as resulting from holding to the right concept of God as infinite good, and man as His perfect offspring.   "Right Social Standards" by Albert F. Gilmore, CSB The Christian Science Journal, February, 1927

 

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