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and God-ordained and will help heal the much at stake, can a Christian Scientist world. do less?

Our duty is to watch, to distinguish—to accept the good and reject the evil in our own thinking-and thus be fitted to help the world more effectively. With so

1 Matt. 5:23, 24; 2 Miscellaneous Writings, p. 104; 3 Matt. 22:39; 4 The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, pp. 128, 129; 5 Gal. 5:22, 23; 6 My., p. 213.

Grasping the Essence

SAM L. HORNBEAK

A young boy looks up at the stars and experiences a mighty struggle within himself. A scientist, after spending hours at his test tubes and microscopes, despairingly searches his thinking. A student of philosophy pores over the words of the ancient Greeks and shakes his head in confusion. An airplane pilot looks out in awe at the insignificance of the man-made features below and the vastness of the space beyond and gropes for an answer. All struggle with the same problem.

They ask, "Who am I?" and "What is the reason behind this universe?" They reach out mentally to grasp the essence of their being, but all too often fail to find a satisfying answer. As a result their thinking and their lives are not at peace. And yet, there are today thousands who are at peace in their thinking because they have been able to grasp, in some degree at least, the essence of their being. They have come to realize that Christ Jesus, centuries ago, found within himself, within his own consciousness, the full answer. He said, "The kingdom of God is within you." Through his lifework he gave complete proof of this great revelation of the truth of being. And he promised, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." 2

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"Not as the world giveth"-an important phrase to remember as we individually

begin our search for the greatest of all answers! Test tubes, archaeological research, human philosophies, and other educational tools and data-these are "as the world giveth." If those who struggle so long through material means would but realize that the answer is not a deeply buried secret or an illusive equation! It is everywhere around us, as much as the very air we breathe. It is Life itself—God, divine Life, Truth, and Love, fully expressing Himself in man.

Every good thought, every kind and gentle quality, every act of strength and courage and comfort, testifies to the essence of man's being as the reflection, the expression, of God. This greatest of all answers, then, is not just something to be researched, cataloged, and remembered. It is that which must be lived every minute of every day.

Paul clearly saw man's spiritual nature and the futility of searching for the realities of being through material means. In his Epistle to the Corinthians, he said: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.' Later, speaking of "the things of the Spirit of God," he stated, "They are spiritually discerned." 3

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To search out and discern "the deep things of God," then, requires spiritualization of consciousness, purification of thought, elevation of character. It calls for studying, thinking, listening, speaking, and acting from a spiritual standpoint.

The grasping of spiritual facts is not often accomplished without a struggle, but the struggle is not with God or the facts themselves. It is a struggle with the testimony of the material senses. What can the senses tell of "the Spirit of God"-of the God who is Spirit and the man who is Spirit's expression? They testify only to the illusory, temporary, and false picture of man's existence as a material, physically sentient being. Because of this false testimony the temptation comes to ignore or postpone the quest for spiritual enlightenment. But to put off entering into this struggle is to put off the only permanently satisfying and rewarding way of life there is.

"The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing," writes Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, the Christian Science textbook, "includes a perfect Principle and idea, -perfect God and perfect man,-as the basis of thought and demonstration.

As one decides to face the challenge squarely, he needs to embark aright by acknowledging these truths. Mrs. Eddy challenges the student of this textbook not just to study and meditate over the facts of being but to demonstrate these facts, to dig deep into the reality of existence.

To dig deep does not involve searching long and hard for some hidden truth. God's truth is not hidden-at least, not to spiritual sense. It permeates the entire atmosphere of spiritual existence. The challenge, then, is to open one's thinking to this unlimited outpouring of truth and then enter upon the exhilarating experience of exploring in depth the ever-unfolding panorama of spiritual existence.

For example, to explore in depth the understanding of God as Love and man as

Love's expression, one might study the qualities of tenderness, gentleness, selflessness, and loving-kindness, and the limitless application of these God-given qualities. This systematic study, coupled with the actual expression of these qualities throughout each day, enables one to reach out farther and farther into the spiritual realm, grasping the essence of true being and proving its practicality through the healing and enriching of his own as well as others' lives.

There are times when, no matter how much one seems to try, he just can't seem to grasp those fundamental facts that give depth, purpose, and satisfaction to his living. Perhaps the requirement then is to carefully examine his thinking as to its purity and purpose. He must remind himself that just as he cannot grasp anything with a closed fist, neither does he partake of Love's outpouring with a closed thought. A limited, selfish, or impure thought cannot possibly grasp the essence of divine Love. But a pure, grateful, and loving thought reaps rich blessings in return. The desire to drink in the truth with the sincere motive of sharing it with others opens wide the door of understanding.

Mortal mind, or the testimony of the material senses, will argue strongly in the attempt to discourage one from making spiritual explorations. Arguments such as Where does evil come from? and Where did the belief of a material man originate? are mortal mind's subtle attempts to justify itself and to keep one from following the straight and narrow path toward Truth. Evil, or materiality, is no more real than a mistake in mathematics, although both may seem apparent to the

senses.

To attempt to reconcile the testimony of the material senses with the evidence of spiritual being is like trying to find light in darkness or darkness in light. Both cannot exist together. The light of spiritual understanding dispels the darkness of mortal mind's doubts and fears. As we steadfastly persist in following the light of Truth,

there will be no need to answer mortal mind's queries, for we will come to know the certainty of our spiritual being. We will learn to prove through spiritual healing the unreality of the material evils that perplex us. We will find that spiritual facts are not elusive and far off but right at hand,

fully apparent to the divine Mind and to man as Mind's expression. Then will we not only grasp the very essence of our being but joyously express its glorious light in our every thought, word, and deed.

1 Luke 17:21; 2 John 14:27; 3I Cor. 2:9, 10, 14; Science and Health, p. 259.

Bending "on the same branch"

GRACE SODEN HAERLE

A wise Christian Scientist, even in the midst of group activity, remains within the atmosphere of God's omnipresent grace. He does not lower his thinking to the level of the chaotic carnal mind. He knows that the function of a Christian Scientist is to think and act so lovingly that his expression of grace will overwhelm the claims of evil.

Divine Love's boundless and complete goodness is shown in the loving nature of His expression, man. Each of us, then, as individual spiritual man, embodies the infinite qualities of divine Love. Love's actuality effaces evil's false pretense that unloving or contentious traits are part of man's character. Learning in his study that God sees and identifies him as His Godlike son, surely the Christian Scientist can express the unfolding allness of Love in tenderness, forbearance, and regard for others! A poem by our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, begins,

Brood o'er us with Thy shelt'ring wing,
'Neath which our spirits blend
Like brother birds, that soar and sing,
And on the same branch bend.1

Unity of purpose is a mighty force for fruition. Inspired mental soaring and singing together afford to any group of Scientists buoyancy and resiliency of thought that impel achievement. Bending "on the same branch," we work together as branch church members.

There should be a strong bond of devoted endeavor between students of Christian Science. Altruistic motives, cordial communication, and loving-kindness promote successful collective action. We cooperate better when our attitude is meek, not self-righteous; desirous of a brother's success, not envious; good-natured, not faultfinding, "in honour preferring one another."2

As the workers in the Christian Science movement actively practice love and esteem for one another, assuredly this is noted by those who observe the "city that is set on an hill" that "cannot be hid." If our neighbors see that our way of life is blessed and fruitful, they are more likely to turn to it.

What are some of the attitudes that further our working together? Surely one is flexibility of attitude in which each gives gracious consideration to another's reasoning. Diversities of opinion are inevitable with human beings, even when they hold dear a common goal. The airing of a variety of views, if done with mutually helpful intent, is often a desirable method of finding the best solution to a problem. Each can help the others by his humble awareness that they also have prayed selflessly to be guided in the right course.

While unshakable resolution is often essential in group activity, it can and should

be thoroughly loving, for right-minded firmness reflects divine Love's immutable strength. The coldly adamant stand, as when one tries steamroller tactics and resists any weighing of or deferring to other viewpoints, denotes weakness. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Miscellaneous Writings: "Love impels good works. Love is greatly needed, and must be had to mark the way in divine Science.' "4 On the same page she continues: "Human pride is human weakness. Self-knowledge, humility, and love are divine strength."

The spiritual love man expresses is the enduring reflection of God's love. Interpreting the words of the Lord's Prayer, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors," Mrs. Eddy declares, "And Love is reflected in love."5

I know a man who helps bring harmony into business and other discussions by his habit of listening most attentively to others' ideas. No matter how controversial the topic, his reply begins, "I can go all the way with you on that," or, "I can go most of the way (or part of the way) with you," unless he cannot truthfully indicate any agreement.

Certainly there are bountiful rewards in watching for virtue in another's views and in giving him the joy of our approval. This kind practice does not include deceit or indicate lack of courage to state our own convictions strongly.

Members of a group can make it habitual to withhold pointless or provocative disagreement and to accentuate whatever is of value in others' statements. When we encourage our fellow church workers and pull together with them in this way, what mounting evidence of concord can result, not only for the church activities themselves but indirectly for the world! Mankind today sorely need more of this method in families, churches, and communities, within nations and between nations. Such willingness to see our neighbor's good can silence and reverse ru

mors of disunity, for it points toward and develops accord in all directions.

Scientifically speaking, only the one divine Mind is exerting complete control and authority over all; therefore there are no separate minds operating coercively or subversively to thwart the judgment of intelligence. Also, Mind holds as nothing the aggressive attempts of the carnal mind to delude mankind and to dethrone the Science of Christ.

Students of Christian Science learn to affirm these truths in their prayers. They learn, too, to watch quietly and with expectation to see what God wants them to do, as individuals and in group service. As they listen for and follow divine directing, goodwill tends to prevail in their contacts and dealings.

Christ Jesus, who consciously maintained the eternal perfection of God and man in His image, abounded in tender compassion and concern for others. The Golden Rule shone purely and constantly through his forthright pronouncements and acts. At the last, in Gethsemane, when his adversaries came to take him, he recommended the supremely forgiving and healing way. He said to Peter, "Put up thy sword." The beloved disciple, John, has told us in phrasing patterned on that of the Master: "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.... If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."7

Enfolded within the fatherhood and motherhood of God, the ample source of love, numberless spiritual entities express the activity and qualities of God's loving. In this brotherhood of man, never riven by discord, one individual consciousness is not at cross-purposes with another. Each one is in ascendant harmony with every other, bending "on the same branch" in the immediate presence of divine Love.

1 Poems, p. 6; 2 Rom. 12:10; 8 Matt. 5:14; 4 Mis., p. 358; 5 Science and Health, p. 17; 6 John 18:11; 71 John 4:11, 12.

What Kind of Church Member Am I?

EDWIN G. LEEVER

We all love church, or we wouldn't be church members. And yet, many of us have those moments (Would you believe that they even go into days and weeks?) when our love for church seems to waver, maybe falters a little and even appears to crumble. Regardless of what circumstance has brought this feeling to the surface, that's when I often find it helpful to ask myself one simple question: What kind of church member am I?

Am I the kind that basks in the progress and the glories and then runs away from facing up to unsolved problems? Am I a fair-weather kind of member that's all fired up second to no one-when things go well, but who somehow loses his sparkle and inspiration when certain events, circumstances, and people shake him up? Have I let myself get so humanly busy in branch church affairs that I haven't taken the time to support the church prayerfully, metaphysically, as, first and foremost, it should be supported? Why, for example, can't I, like Ananias, be a more dedicated, devout church member? As you remember, he was the one who helped Saul get rolling in his church work.

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Ananias was a "disciple at Damascus, "a devout man according to the law."2 So, he must have had both the spirit and the letter, and, therefore, was ready when called upon to serve his church. He simply said, "Behold, I am here, Lord." There is no record of his saying, "Why pick on me after all I've done for my church this year" or "What's wrong with Cornelius? Why can't he do it?" He simply said, "Behold, I am here, Lord."

What a wonderful lesson there is in this account of Ananias in our deciding what kind of a church member we each should be! When there's a real need in our branch church do we begin by replying to

the call as did Ananias, "Behold, I am here, Lord"? Or do we start thinking of reasons--all perfectly good ones, of course, and all so logical-as to why we just can't at that moment serve God better in our branch church?

When Ananias found out what was required of him to serve his church on that particular day, no wonder that even he, a devout disciple, had second thoughts and tried to back out. Who wouldn't have dragged his feet at the prospect of going to talk to Christianity's most dangerous enemy, Saul of Tarsus? In a flash all the stories he had heard about Saul must have come back to him, for he said, "Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name."

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But-and isn't this the important point? he didn't let human arguments based on his own opinion or on what he heard others say determine his course of action. He quietly listened for instructions-divine instructions, not human advice. And he was told, "Go thy way: for [Saul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of

Israel."

And what happened? He "went his way," and did what was most needed at that time to really bless his church-help launch one of the most ardent Christians the church has ever known. Oh, if we could only look ahead sometimes and see the far-reaching effects of our unselfed and obedient church work, be it ever so humble! Wouldn't we, perhaps, do and say things just a little bit differently?

It has always inspired me to recollect how Ananias went about his church assignment. There is no record that he made a

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