Christian Science: The Science of Divine Power
Peter B. Biggins, C.S.B., of
Peter B. Biggins, C.S.B., of
Today a large number of people are
using what is generally regarded as power, electrical energy. In the
laboratory, in the factory, in the workshop, in the home, many are thus
engaged. While comparatively little is known about electricity, it is being
utilized for many useful purposes. Throughout the land, rivers are being
harnessed for the production of electrical energy, with the expectation that
this will substantially lessen human toil and minister still further to human
comfort.
Such improvements, wisely promoted, are welcome. They may serve to point
our attention to the utilization of the power of divine Mind, the energy of
Spirit. At this time, when the resources of the material universe are being explored
to the utmost, let us take some time to inquire into the capabilities of the
divine Mind, God, to explore the resources of Spirit, Soul. We hear it said
that we live in an age of speed and power. But this speed is generally
considered as physical, and the common conception of power is likewise more or
less materialistic. May we not, therefore, pause for a time to consider a
power which has been somewhat overlooked by many, the power of God, omnipotent
good. This consideration is in accordance with the declaration of the Psalmist,
"They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy
power."
In the Bible we find illuminating
statements made by one who understood and used the power of God, of divine
Principle, in a remarkable degree, Jesus of Nazareth. Listen to these
striking words, as recorded in the twenty-eighth chapter of Matthew's Gospel,
"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." It was his understanding
of this spiritual power that enabled Christ Jesus to heal the sick, cleanse the
sinning, raise the dead. The study of science, as understood by many people in
civilized communities today, is generally in the realm of material phenomena.
This study takes into account the action of so-called forces of nature, and of
chemical properties. But why should it be thought that science relates solely
to matter? While the discoveries in natural science may minister to human
comfort, it has never been claimed that these achievements make one a better
man, that they improve his character, that they minister to his eternal
well-being.
Why, then, should we rest satisfied
with that which falls so very far short of ministering to the highest needs of
man? Let us consider the deeper aspects of Life, so that we may ascertain
whether there is indeed a Science of being, a Science of Life and of Love, a
Science of Mind, a Science of divine power. If it can be shown that there is a
law governing the affairs of men which can be utilized with scientific accuracy
to bring out better conditions in human lives, you will admit that this is by
far the most important discovery of this age. Christian Science comes with the
glad tidings that there is just such a Science, and that it is available in
dealing with the problems of daily experience, that this Science is, indeed,
Christian Science.
Too long has it been thought that
religion was concerned with preparation for a time after what has been
considered death. Men and women have looked askance - and who can blame them
for it? - at a theory which has been concerned mainly with preparation for a
state beyond the grave. You cannot blame practically minded men and women for
not being interested in theories regarding a future world salvation, if these
theories cannot be translated into terms of practical usefulness here and now.
Christian Science has come
to show us that the laws of spiritual being are essentially practical and
usable in our present stage of experience. It is this that explains the steady
growth and progress of Christian Science.
Christ Jesus' Healing Power
Jesus of Nazareth came to earth in
humble guise. His birth was as lowly as it could be. He was laid in a manger,
when there was no room for his mother and Joseph in the inn at which they
wished to stay, and it was necessary for them to find shelter in a stable. The
appearing of the Christ-idea to human consciousness was a rebuke to the
splendor of the world, pride, and mere human intellect. Jesus lived through
boyhood in humble circumstances. In young manhood he followed Joseph's trade as
a carpenter. When he stepped forth at the age thirty, expressing the highest
order of intelligence, to carry on his public ministry of preaching and
healing, the people asked, "Is not this the carpenter's son?" Partly
on account of the lowliness of his coming, but mainly because he taught the
truth about God, which contradicted their false doctrine, the Master's great
work was scorned by the rabbis of his day. But today, after the years and the
centuries have gone by, the greatness of Jesus the Christ is more fully acknowledged,
even by those who do not yet understand Christ, Truth.
We read in the Gospel of Luke that
on a certain Sabbath day Christ Jesus went into the synagogue and taught. By
this time the Master had done some healing work in public, and these wonderful
healings had attracted attention. The scribes and the Pharisees now watched
him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath day, that they might be able
to accuse him, according to their misconception of the Mosaic law. Think of
it! They were endeavoring to find an accusation against the great Master for
healing hopeless disease on the Sabbath! Well, on this particular day there
was in the synagogue a man whose hand was withered. Jesus knew what the scribes
and the Pharisees were thinking, and he said to the man with the withered hand,
"Rise up, and stand forth in the midst." The man obeyed. He arose and
stood forth. He utilized power to this extent - the extent to which he
understood it, and was able to utilize it. Then Jesus said to those around him,
"I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or
to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?" So far as we can gather, he
did not wait for an answer, but addressing the man said, "Stretch forth
thy hand." Here again the man obeyed, "And his hand was restored
whole as the other."
We would think that the scribes
and Pharisees would be glad to see one of their fellow men freed from this
disability. But were they? Oh, no! What do we read? This: "They were
filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to
Jesus." And what did Jesus do? He simply proceeded to draw upon the
infinite source, divine Love, for refreshment and renewal of spiritual power,
the fuller ability to heal and save needy humanity. And so we read, "And
it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and
continued all night in prayer to God." He kept busy in silent, ceaseless
prayer. And in the morning he called his disciples, and of them chose twelve,
whom he named apostles. These apostles then went forth, and preached and
healed. Christ Jesus kept close to God. Thus he was able to utilize the power
of God, the power of infinite divine Love.
We read further in the Bible that
at one time when Christ Jesus had come to his own city,
The events just narrated, as you
know, took place in the early part of the first century of the Christian era.
The authenticity of the records through which these events are known to us, has
been acknowledged by a large number of well-trained scholars, and accepted by
millions of other intelligent Christian people.
The scene now shifts to the second
half of the nineteenth century. A woman who had been doing her best, by tongue
and pen, to help humanity was lying ill. As she lay in pain, despaired of by
physician and friends, she called for her Bible. Opening it, she read of one
of the healings to which reference has been made, the healing of the man who
was sick of the palsy. As she read, she felt the power of the ever-present
Christ, and was healed. Like the palsied man of whom she read, she arose and
walked. She utilized the power which had been revealed to her. The woman was
Mary Baker Eddy.
Like the man in Christ Jesus' day,
she stretched forth her hand and accepted the revelation which came to her, and
was healed. After several years of searching the Scriptures and impelled by the
divine power which had healed her, she wrote the Christian Science textbook,
"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Mrs. Eddy refers to
this when, in her illustrated poem, "Christ and Christmas," she
writes (p.39),
"As in blest Palestina's
hour,
So in our age,
'Tis the same hand unfolds His
power,
And writes the page."
My friends, if we could draw back
the curtain of today's history just now, and see the unnumbered thousands who
have been healed, saved, blessed, as a result of reading Science and Health,
never again would we be able to doubt that the power of the ever-present Christ
is with us here today, operating mightily in Christian Science.
Mrs. Eddy a Wise Counselor
While reading the Christian Science
textbook, one catches a clear glimpse of the goodness and power of God.
Continual study of this remarkable textbook convinces one that Mrs. Eddy is
humanity's greatest benefactor in this age, because she has imparted an understanding
of God that is so practical that it can be used to improve one's own condition,
and the condition of others as well. Those who have been benefited by Mrs.
Eddy's life-work know well that the results wrought in their lives could be accomplished
only through one who was consecrated, loving, unselfed, God-fearing, Christian.
Is there anything more effective than the power of a good example? Many men and
women who have lived useful lives have said that they were inspired by the
example of someone whom they had met and known in early life. A noble character,
unselfed, devoted to the cause of education, for instance, has been a power for
good in the lives of students. The monument reared by such a character is far
more enduring than that of marble or granite. The benefits of such a life are
woven into the fabric of other lives, and these benefits go on and on, blessing
all who are touched by this benign influence. Such a character in the highest
degree was Mary Baker Eddy.
One distinct impression that I had
when I read Science and Health for the first time was that here I had found the
truth of being. Another impression was that in Mrs. Eddy I had found a sympathetic
friend and a wise counselor. Learning of Christian Science as I did, in early
youth, I found this loving, sympathetic guidance to be of great value. Can you
wonder that Christian Scientists desire that others should profit by her loving
counsel and far-reaching wisdom, so plainly derived from God? From my own
experience I had no hesitation in accepting Mrs. Eddy's statement written in
"Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 69): "The Principle of Christian
Science is divine. Its rule is, that man shall utilize the divine power."
The student of Christian Science
soon recognizes that the rule of this Science can be applied with scientific
accuracy. When in the laboratory the chemist combines certain elements and
produces a certain result, he believes that this has taken place through the
operation of a scientific law. When in the great laboratory of human experience
we apply the scientific understanding of the power of good, the power of God,
and utilize this Science in the practical affairs of daily life, and healing
results, surely we have the right to consider this the result of Science.
Those who have accepted Christian Science as their rule of life know that this
is so. They have seen it work.
Mrs. Eddy proved herself worthy to
receive the revelation of the nature and character of God, and of man in God's
likeness, and of the method of the Christ-cure. In "Science and Health
with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 465) she makes this illuminating statement
regarding the attributes, or essential qualities, of God: "The attributes
of God are justice, mercy, wisdom, goodness, and so on." Justice, mercy,
wisdom, goodness! How we appreciate these qualities as we see them expressed in
daily life! As we understand God as the one and only Mind, in the light of
Christian Science, and discern man's true nature as the image and likeness of
God, we are better able to express these Godlike qualities. Before the truth of
being, as revealed in Christian Science, touched their lives, many people have
had difficulty in expressing these God-qualities, even in small degree. They
have not understood how to go about it. But as the nature of God becomes
plainer, and man's unity with God is better understood, it is seen to be
inevitable that man as God's likeness should express justice, mercy, wisdom,
and goodness.
Utilization of Divine
Power
Power also is an attribute of God,
since, as we read in the Bible, "Power belongeth unto God." Thus man
in God's likeness reflects and expresses power and strength. Christ Jesus
understood this so well that he enabled those whom he healed to express power
and strength immediately, as in the two cases of healing which we have
considered.
Loving-kindness is an attribute of
God. Man in God's likeness expresses loving-kindness. Those who have come in
close contact with Mrs. Eddy have spoken of her absolute reliance on God, of
the justice, mercy, and goodness she exemplified; and among the many lovely
qualities which they saw her express was that of kindness. Abraham Lincoln is
credited with a statement to the effect that the secret of living lies in being
kind. Mrs. Eddy had mastered this secret.
The kindness which she exemplified
was derived from her understanding of divine Principle. It was more than a
mere personal affair. It was accompanied by wisdom and strength, and usually
it was expressed in ways which everyone could understand and appreciate. While
she was engaged in the work of directing the Christian Science movement, she
was never too busy to be kind. Sibyl Wilbur in her biography, "The Life of
Mary Baker Eddy" (pp. 333,334), tells that it was Mrs. Eddy's custom on
the morning to make a tour of friendly inspection throughout her home. On these
tours of "cheerful sociability" she spoke kind words of
consideration to those who were helping in her household, her "sallies of
wit or spiritual admonition" being long remembered. Sibyl Wilbur adds,
"The love and reverence in which all held her made her coming an anticipation
of each day."
Have you ever noticed how kindness
comes back to one with a volume far exceeding the startling results of
compound interest? A Christian Scientist who was motoring alone into town one
morning was asked by a man who lived in the district to be allowed to drive
with him to town, a distance of forty miles. The Christian Scientist consented
readily, as he knew the man to be honest and trustworthy. Within ten minutes after
he had allowed the neighbor to come with him, a violent blizzard arose. This
man was able to ride outside and wipe off the snow from the windshield, while
the car proceeded at a very slow pace, as it was out of the question to stop.
Thus the visitor proved to be an angel
"entertained unawares." Furthermore later, this man could not
do enough to help the Christian Scientist. He was a fisherman, and thereafter
from time to time supplied the Christian Scientist with fresh whitefish, and
refused to accept anything in return. The utilization of the power of kindness
never fails. We have the Scriptural assurance that "Love never
faileth."
We make use of the power of God
through prayer. We are learning that the ever-present good can be utilized by
a scientific understanding of Him. The simple fact that God is All-in-all, and
that man is made in the
image and likeness of God, is precious beyond words. The proofs of our growing
ability to utilize the power of infinite good are very encouraging, and inspire
us to press on and gain a higher understanding, and consequently a better
ability to prove the power of God, infinite good. Mrs. Eddy has written in
"No and Yes" (p. 39): "True prayer is not asking God for love;
it is learning to love, and to include all mankind in one affection. Prayer is
the utilization of the love wherewith He loves us." Here is the true utilization of power, the
using of the power of Love.
One day a Christian Science
practitioner was explaining to her patient that God is the only power. She made
clear the fact that true love and kindness dissolve hatred and malice;
therefore that these good qualities express power, while hatred and malice have
no power. Thus the Christian Scientist presented a new idea of power - that is
new to this patient - and the patient was eager to learn more about it. The
practitioner did not speak to the patient about disease. She did not enter into
mystifying explanations as to what she had to do in order to be healed. She
spoke to her in simple language, easy to be understood, of God and of His
perfection, goodness, and power, and of the perfection, health, goodness, and
power expressed by man in God's likeness. Through the change of thought which
the patient thus gained, she found that the disease which had claimed her had
disappeared, and she regained normal health. Now she had much more than
physical health. She had gained a new outlook on life, a fuller realization of
her infinite possibilities as a child of God. The woman was healed of a
supposedly incurable disease by understanding that Love is power.
As we gain a better understanding of the power of Truth, the power of Spirit, the power of God, we shall give less and less power to evil. Christian Science has made a unique contribution to the cause of human betterment. It is this. It has revealed in a practical manner the fact that God, good, is All-power. From this premise Christian Science goes on to show that the power which evil has seemed to hold over human thought and conduct is due, in belief, to the fact that mortals have given power to evil in their own thoughts. To the extent that you admit evil to be power, to that extent only does evil seem to have power over you. In the measure that you acknowledge God, infinite good, as power, in that measure good dominates your thought, your conduct, your life. The Apostle Paul stated this truth when, in writing to the Romans, he said, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Some people have mistakenly believed that because Christian Science exposes the powerlessness of evil, one can continue to indulge in evil, and say that he is not committing wrong. But this is not so. Such a practice would be self-deception of the worst kind, and it is foreign to Christian Science. The only result of the true recognition of the powerlessness of evil, and the all-power of good, is that one finds joy in doing good, and is freed more and more from all evil influence. Beware, my friends, of the subtle perversion of Christian Science, which would lead one to believe that one can go on indulging in evil, at the same time saying that evil is unreal. Through the understanding that God, good, is the only power, the seeming power of evil is dethroned, but this fact must be proved in individual experience in sincere, straightforward, Christian living.
Reasonableness, Christian Science
Those who are thus proving the
power of Christian Science are enjoying a foretaste of heaven. Nothing
unreasonable is demanded of any of us. Nothing beyond our ability to
accomplish is expected. The divine law enters your life and mine with sweet
reasonableness, lovingly, tenderly leading us on to better things by stages
well adapted to our present ability. Just as the child beginning at school has
lessons, to his capability, so in taking our steps in the understanding of God’s
law, and of how to utilize this power, we find that our lessons are perfectly adapted to our need at
each stage of our moral, mental, and spiritual development. The child can be
happy at every stage of his progress at school. So we, learning our lessons in
life's larger school with the aid of Christian Science, can be happy at every
stage of our progress.
Sometimes objection has been made
that Christian Scientists have not spent long years in the study of the human
body, and in pathological research. The fact of the matter is that the
conscientious, consecrated Christian Science practitioner has undergone a
training that is more exacting than that which is required of the medical
doctor. In saying this, I speak with due respect for the earnest efforts of
cultured medical practitioners.
In the office of a certain
business firm a transaction was being put through in which one man exchanged
his farm for a mercantile business. Many questions arose on both sides, as many
things had not been clearly seen nor arranged. This seemed to result in
misunderstanding. Relationships became severely strained and finally reached
an impasse, where nothing apparently could be done to straighten out the tangle
of complicated problems. Each party was inclined to regard the other as dishonest
and unjust, and the problem appeared to be hopeless. At this point, when skill
and experience in legal practice had been exhausted, and all efforts toward
an amicable settlement seemed vain, this matter was put into the hands of a
Christian Scientist in this office. This Scientist had a deep-lying conviction
of the power of God's law to right every wrong and bring out a harmonious
adjustment. Finally the two parties to this transaction were brought together.
Each point in dispute was patiently taken up and considered. The Christian
Scientist, with his basic understanding of the fact that man is made in the
image and likeness of God, was able to see that the error causing the disagreement
was powerless; and step by step a satisfactory adjustment was made. As each
point at issue was settled, a written agreement on that point was signed; and
finally a mutual understanding was reached in regard to every point in dispute.
The transaction went through harmoniously with advantage to both parties. A
costly and bitter lawsuit had been averted through the utilization of the divine
law. Justice and equity had been established.
What was it that brought about the
right result in this instance? Without presuming to give a final word of
explanation, let me indicate what may be very safely concluded in regard to
this experience. The Christian Scientist, who was instrumental in effecting
this reconciliation, knew that God is Love. He knew that God, divine Love, has
created all His children, and that all men, in reality, love one another,
because all have one Mind. He knew that evil, manifested as discord, misunderstanding,
hatred, suspicion, is not created by God, nor authorized by God. With these
true facts clearly seen through the study of the Bible and the Christian
Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by
Mrs. Eddy, he approached the problem with confidence - not confidence in his
own business ability, but confidence in the power of God, and in the certainty
that he could be used by God to bring about the right result.
The utilization of divine power in
this business transaction brought peace - peace with honor. The same power
utilized in the home is bringing peace, concord, and brotherly love, and
preserving honor. The same power, utilized in the governments of cities, of
states, of countries, and in international relationships, is capable of
establishing peaceful conditions. Peace is an attribute of God, and man
reflects this essential quality in peacemaking and peaceableness. Through such
practical proofs of the divine power and presence, we can understand in some
measure the words of
Abundant Supply
Many who have taken up the study
of Christian Science gratefully testify to the fact that it has solved for
them the problem of supply. Christian Science touches this subject of supply
sympathetically, as did our great Master, Christ Jesus, of whom we read, he
had "compassion on the multitude." Is it not plain that our loving Father-Mother
God, who owns all and controls all, can and does supply every needed good thing
to all His children? God is indeed an "open fount" (Science and
Health, p. 2), pouring forth all that we need. It is for us to make use of this
bounty. One great step toward gaining the enjoyment of our normal supply is
the getting rid of fear, fear of lack, fear of poverty, fear of the future,
through the understanding of omnipresent, all-sufficing Love. As we accept the
positive assurance implied in the Psalmist's statement, "I shall not
want," and accept Love's abundant supply for every need, and make this our
own, we shall see a great change in our experience. The enjoyment of normal
supply is not, primarily, a question of having a certain amount of money. It is
rather having the unshaken conviction of God's abundant provision for every
need. We need a larger sense of substance, the habitual ability to look to God
as the infinite source of all good, instead of looking to material things,
whether they be scanty or abundant.
Thus the enjoyment of God's
abundance is the expression of a true state of Mind, rather than the possession
of money. This true state of Mind belongs to every child of God, by reflection.
Christ Jesus said, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good
pleasure to give you the kingdom." Fear not; it is God's good pleasure to
give you abundance, health, and the enjoyment of all that is good. Are we
utilizing our resources diligently enough?
Each one has abilities, opportunities, possibilities, beyond what he has
yet realized. As we each find our true individuality as the image and likeness
of God, we are finding the key to a more abundant life.
Two Christian Scientists, living
in a modest country home, learned many helpful lessons by watching the birds. A
small platform was hung on a tree not far from one of the windows of this home,
and this platform was loaded with food, pieces of bread, fats, and broken nuts.
It was noticeable that, if a few crumbs slipped over the edge of the platform,
the bluejay or the chickadee which allowed the crumbs to slip, would swoop down
to the ground and carefully pick up these crumbs; then, having done so, he
would return to the main supply.
These birds were utilizing all the
resources that were available. Wise economists, good stewards, are these little
chickadees and bluejays! They were teaching a valuable lesson in economy,
practiced in obedience to divine law. Did not Christ Jesus teach this lesson when
he fed the multitude of five thousand, besides women and children, with a few
loaves and fishes? After all had had enough to eat, he commanded his disciples
to gather up the fragments, "that nothing be lost," and they gathered
up twelve basketsful. Oftentimes one of the most important lessons which is
needed, in order to enjoy a more abundant supply, is the wise use of what one
now has, freedom from wastefulness or extravagance. One who learns the needed
lessons, and puts into practice what he learns - always with an abiding sense of gratitude to
God - will enjoy increasingly, in all practical ways, the goodness and power
of God.
Christian Science Healing
The healings accomplished by
Christian Science today have been made possible not only by the fact that Mrs.
Eddy discovered Christian Science, but also by the fact that she founded the
Christian Science movement. Thus while we appreciate our Leader's work as
Discoverer, let us not forget the vital importance of her work as Founder.
Mrs. Eddy saw clearly that humanity needs a church. It is well that those who
adopt Christianly scientific rules of thinking and living should have the
association and support of others with like ideals. For this purpose Mrs. Eddy
organized the Church of Christ, Scientist, in order to promote the
understanding of the sacred Christ, Truth.
The simple rules of our church are
embodied in the Manual of The Mother Church, written by Mrs. Eddy. One of these
rules is entitled "Daily Prayer," and it reads as follows (p. 41):
"It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to pray each day:
'Thy kingdom come'; let the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be
established in me, and rule out of me all sin; and may Thy Word enrich the affections
of all mankind, and govern them!" As we each use this prayer effectively,
getting rid of our own faults, we shall help others effectively to get rid of
their mistakes, faults, and failings. In this simple prayer Mrs. Eddy has
contributed much to humanity's progress in religion and healing. A mistaken
sense, due to false theology, has in the past led people to challenge other
people's sins, while stoutly clinging to their own. The Pilgrim Fathers, and
the Puritans who came later, left the older lands in order to escape
persecution for their religious convictions; but they had not been established
in the new land very long, when they themselves became intolerant of others. We
honor those pioneers for their courage. It is well that we avoid their
mistakes. The spirit of our Daily Prayer affords the remedy for intolerance.
The faithful use of it will make us safer religionists, better metaphysicians,
better husbands and wives, better brothers and sisters, better sons and
daughters, kindlier neighbors. In using this prayer, we are utilizing the
Christ-power.
As we continue to study Science
and Health, we see the wisdom of giving attention daily to another rule in the
Church Manual which appears on page 42, entitled "Alertness to Duty."
One of the many helpful activities
of the Christian Science movement is the daily publication of The Christian
Science Monitor, which was established by Mrs. Eddy in 1908. This newspaper is
now well known throughout the world for the good that it is accomplishing. Some
time ago, at a luncheon in the city of
Study of Science and Health
Many in this audience have proved
the availability of the divine power over and over again. Others wish to know
better how to begin to use this power. To the latter I would say: The means
are readily at hand. Study the Bible and the Christian Science textbook,
"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.
Begin by using the simple facts of being in your daily life. Keep free from
complicated methods, and avoid abstruse questions. The truth of being is
simple, yet it is adequate to solve the most complicated problems when
sincerely applied. Do not despise the simple beginnings. Do not think that you
need to be in a wider sphere, or to occupy a more important position, before
you can use this power. Begin to use it now, and it will lead you step by step
to higher things. Let us remember the wise counsel given by Mrs. Eddy in Science
and Health (p. 429), "We must begin . . . with the more simple
demonstrations of control, and the sooner we begin the better."
The Master sent forth twelve
apostles at one time, as we have already noted. Later, he sent forth other
seventy disciples. We read in the tenth chapter of Luke's Gospel that after
these seventy had accomplished works of healing, they "returned again
with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy
name." In replying, the Master said, "I beheld Satan as lightning
fall from heaven." The supposed power of evil received its deathblow as a
result of Christ Jesus' work. Evil and error had been dethroned;
Truth and Love had been enthroned.
He went on to say, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents
and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any
means hurt you." Is there any wonder that the disciples returned
"with joy"? They had seen the power of God proved over and over again
in works of healing and regeneration. Joy is an attribute of God, and man in
God's likeness reflects and expresses this joy. This is the joy of which Christ
Jesus spoke at a later time - the joy of demonstration, the joy of work well
done - when he said, "Your joy no man taketh from you."
Christian Science presents a grand
ideal, a perfect ideal. Christian Scientists are grateful for the perfection
of the model thus set before them, and while striving daily for higher
attainment, they are modest in their claims as to their demonstration of this
perfect ideal. But the modest beginning made by Christian Scientists today has
brought much happiness into their lives. They desire to share this happiness
with others.
My friends, the ever-present
Christ, Truth, the Comforter, is saying to you and to me here and now, Son,
daughter, be of good cheer: thy sins be forgiven thee: arise, and walk: stretch
forth thy hand: the
It is our privilege to feel the
joy and power of the divine presence, as indicated in our Leader's hymn,
"Mother's Evening Prayer," which includes these words (Christian
Science Hymnal, No. 208):
"O gentle presence, peace and
joy and power;
O Life divine, that owns each
waiting hour,
Thou Love that guards the nestling's
faltering flight!
Keep Thou my child on upward wing
to-night.
"Love is our refuge; only
with mine eye
Can I behold the snare, the pit,
the fall:
His habitation high is here, and
nigh,
His arm encircles me, and mine,
and all."
The