THE desire for power is a God-given instinct. Man is a coworker with the infinite,—he is made for success in all good service; and this involves power. Emerson says, "The mind that is parallel with the laws of nature will be in the current of events, and strong with their strength."
A quest after power, for the promotion of good, is duty, which God meets with a promise. The Christian disciples had imbibed the spirit of their Master, who said, "Ye shall receive power," and "be witnesses unto me." These men, with a motive to do the will of heaven, were endued with "power from on high." They obliterated self-interest, and reflected only God, good, which is the secret of their strength. Jesus said, "All power is given unto me," "Ye shall sit on thrones," "Nothing shall be impossible unto you." Language is used to the utmost to express man's possible equipment for the world's redemption.
We are speaking of "power from on high." It is not "gotten up;" it comes down. Vain are official titles, honors, forms, vestments, authorities. The great need is the baptism of Spirit. Through Christian Science, we have learned anew that God is the only power,—infinite, ever present. Evil is annulled, for it is not of Him; evil is nightmare, the dream of sense; a "privation of good," says St. Augustine; therefore its claim of power is pretense. God, alone, is power; man is the son of God,—supported, vitalized by the divine energy. Supply is abundant; its reception and use is our great enterprise". The anointing power enlightens thought, enlarges affection, transforms action; the disciple is no longer ignorant, childish, selfish, but initiated into the mysteries of the kingdom and led by the "Spirit of truth."
