THE listening thought hears angelic messages. In order to hear God's messages there must be quiet in one's heart, for it is during the uplifted moments when material sense is silenced that one receives these "angels," defined in part by Mrs. Eddy as "spiritual intuitions, pure and perfect" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 581). These intuitions should be obeyed, for their guiding, guarding, and healing message is direct from the Father Mother God to man. When thought is turned to God, and there is an ebbing of sense-testimony, there comes the realization of the presence and power of Love; and Love's reflection, man, is then seen and acknowledged as spiritual and perfect, and Love's directions become clear in one's consciousness. When a student learns to listen, he hears the message which Love has for him, and he ceases to reason from an intellectual basis or from a human standpoint; he stops outlining or planning for himself or others, and works from inspiration imparted by divine Mind.
It is recorded that on many occasions Jesus withdrew to pray — to have essential quiet hours alone with the Father. Following each such withdrawal healings in great number were reported. In one instance, Luke says, "he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples. . . . And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people . . . came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; . . . and they were healed." Matthew also records the healing of the leprous man, of the palsied servant of the centurion, and of the mother of Peter's wife, who was ill with a fever. Then, "when the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick."
He who has climbed to the summit of a mountain or even the brow of a gently rolling hill knows of the peace and quiet, inspiration and grandeur, of the higher view. The climb itself, the things which loomed large before he started the ascent, and even perhaps a sense of apathy in thinking of attempting the climb are forgotten as he beholds the panorama before him. Magnificent as it may be, however, there comes the desire to share the loveliness with others; so when he returns he tells his brother of the peace and quiet, of the inspiration and grandeur, found through appreciatively contemplating that higher view. Likewise, having mentally ascended "into a mountain to pray," we return not only to carry on our daily work "in the plain" but to help others gain the glory and joy of spiritual exaltation. We do not forget the wonder of the outlook from the mountain height nor lose the desire to share the inspiration and healing messages which come with every ascent into the pure realm of Mind. Every quiet moment with God is a view from the mountain top. a view necessary to our welfare, for it keeps our vision clear and our thought resting on the perfection of God's universe. This view enables us to perceive the perfect spiritual creation, formed and supported by divine Mind, in which no discord, pain, disease, lack, or darkness is found. Healings thus follow in human experience, for matter shadows cannot remain in the presence of the light of an angelic message, a right idea from God.
