People, generally speaking, have looked upon "presence of mind" as a gift, recognizing it as instantaneous in action; and, moreover, it has been observed that those expressing it possess the wisdom for immediate decision and action that might not be evidenced so speedily if a process of human reasoning had to be pursued.
The presence of Mind, as the words imply, in reality is ever present, ever available divine intelligence. The term has the full meaning implied by the words; to every student of Christian Science it signifies Immanuel, "God with us." The realization of what God is unfolds a sense of security and an understanding of what Paul meant when he said, "Neither . . . things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God." This Love is omnipotent as well as omnipresent. Jesus demonstrated that it could still the storm, meet every need, overcome the world. In every place the unchanging and unchangeable law of God is in operation, maintaining order and harmony.
Turning to the Glossary of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we find the definition of "Mind" to read as follows (p. 591): "The only I, or Us; the only Spirit, Soul, divine Principle, substance, Life, Truth, Love; the one God; not that which is in man, but the divine Principle, or God, of whom man is the full and perfect expression ; Deity, which outlines but is not outlined." Presence of Mind made manifest, then, is the demonstration or proof of the supremacy of Spirit; it brings instantaneous healing. God being "the only I, or Us," where is there place or opportunity for any egotistical claim of power arguing through personality or a sense of selfhood apart from God? No personal opinion or human doctrine, no superstitious or supposititious belief, can exist in the thought which is conscious of the presence and power of God. "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." In the measure that the fundamental truth revealed by Christian Science —God's allness—is apprehended, the nothingness of error is demonstrated. It is right for one to expect infinite Mind to supply the understanding needed in the working out of each problem; for does not the Scripture read, "He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways"? There is never a place, or a condition, or a time when one cannot listen for the "still small voice," and find that divine Love is never nearer than when most needed.
