There has been with me a great desire to prove Christian Science to be of practical value. We hear it said by one and another: "Christian Science is a beautiful belief, but I have so much material work to do that I find little time to enjoy it;" also: "I believe in Christian Science, but my home cares leave me little time for its study; hence I do not advance much in understanding." My desire to help such brothers and sisters became so great, there finally came to me the certain assurance that God, who had made "to will," would also make "to do"; and I waited on Him.
Without knowing the reason therefor, I was led to do my own house work—though letting go none of my "Science" work. The first day of new duties there was much to be done. From six a. m. until four p. m. I worked hard, and without intermission. During the morning, the conviction began to dawn upon me that through practical demonstration, I was to learn that Truth is fitted to meet every stage and state of human experience. As I worked, thoughts thronged and multiplied. Accustomed as I had been to spending the day in study, writing and "treating," error urged that I would lose ground in this widely different employment of time. This claim of error, Truth exposed, by showing the motive of my work to be Love; because thereby I was to learn that which would bless others. Thus, God "cleansed" the work, and none dare call it "common nor unclean." Over and over error asserted: "This labor is material and in doing it, you cannot hold to the consciousness of Spirit, Good." Patiently and repeatedly did the Truth of Being reply: "l am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature "(human belief) "shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." I worked on joyously, talking with God as never before.
Toward evening, error claimed: "This is making you tired. You are unaccustomed to such work." To this, the clear voice of ever-present Truth responded: "You cannot trespass on Divine Energy." With an overwhelming sense of gratitude and Love I saw revealed, as never before, the eternal fact of "One God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all." Life as Good, became real to me;—and could I call "material" and "base," that by means of which I had seen Good demonstrated?
For a few months I thus continued working; proving daily that no work or circumstance has of itself power to separate us from consciousness of Good. To every temptation of error, that would have me believe so-called material duties could disturb my sense of Good, I said: "You cannot do it. It is right to do this, and therefore the law of harmony protects me. And it did. Confusion and haste in thought were conquered, and no department of my work suffered.
This lesson learned by me, has helped many a dear fellow-laborer to the view of God as Love—teaching meekness and patience. Surely where we are is the place for us to be, until the Master of the feast bids us take another seat. We must demonstrate the law of harmony where we are—casting off the false sense of envy, injustice, inequality, lack of time, etc., etc.,— assured that God is Justice, and will reward according to our faithfulness,—over the little. In Science we are learning the immutable law of God, and we know that the true apprehension of Life dispels the mortal mind concepts of poverty, lack, bitterness, injustice, and their inevitable expression in so-called material surroundings. May we all be willing to seek and use the true remedy for every woe.
Rejoice in the Lord alway; again I will say, Rejoice.... In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.... Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. I know how to be abased and I know also how to abound; in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. I can do all things in Him that strengtheneth me.... And my God shall fulfil every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4th chapter, Rev. version.
And whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Col. iii. 17, Rev. version.
