IN the eleventh chapter of II Corinthians, Paul gives us a vivid summary of the many trials encountered in his Christian ministry. He writes: "Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." No one but a true demonstrator of Christ Jesus' teachings, such as this man was, could have found it in his heart to say, "None of these things move me." With the vision before him of helping to establish throughout the earth Christ's Christianity, this worthy follower of the Master had reached that point of overcoming which no longer held any sense of hardship or struggle, but rather a sense of God's omnipotence and omnipresence that in this work of Truth he could count it all a joy.
Ah, what a lesson and what an inspiration to the metaphysician of today to read of this sturdy Christian warrior's brave and valiant stand for divine Principle, even in the midst of every conceivable mortal obstacle! Paul had attained a sufficient understanding of the Christ, Truth, to be joyfully content in this higher walk and life-purpose. Mrs. Eddy, in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 264), refers to this point of experience when she says, "Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences, by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love."
In Paul's career there is no more outstanding characteristic than his ability to remain calm and poised while undergoing the furnace fires of test and trial. He reflected in marvelous degree an equanimity of thought with its attendant sustaining power that became indeed the peace "which passeth all understanding," as he so aptly phrases it. The word "equanimity" is derived from two Latin words the meaning of which is equal-mindedness,—that is to say, evenness of mind. The word implies a balanced, rational thought,—that which is the direct result of one's thinking from the standpoint of divine Principle, and hence is the reflection or expression of divine Mind. What graciousness, gentleness, peace, and poise does the word imply! What is there more beautiful than the attaining to that "conscious, constant capacity to understand God," which our beloved Leader tells us on page 209 of Science and Health is spiritual sense! How richly endowed are God's children, to be able thus to think the thoughts God gives them!
