In the Old Testament is found the inspiring story of the child Samuel, who was called of God to receive an important message to His people. To this child, whose thought was innocent, pure, and receptive, came the voice of God, and it is recorded that "Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground."
Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, in an article entitled "Voices Not Our Own" in "Retrospection and Introspection" (pp. 8, 9), refers to this story of the child Samuel in writing of her own experience when she was about eight years old. She, too, heard a voice calling her, and from that early experience she learned to listen for God's voice. Her thought became imbued with spiritual qualities and graces which inspired her, and gradually led the way to her great spiritual attainment and achievement. Throughout her experience she recognized God's voice in the spiritual intuitions which were distinctly clear to her waiting thought.
In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 454), "Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way," and in the same paragraph she admonishes, "Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept." The Christian Scientist knows that as he patiently awaits the influx of divine ideas that abundantly come from God, divine Love, he gains the right or perfect concept of being and receives certain guidance. This patient waiting is not one of complacence or idling away of one's time, but rather is it the fervent prayer of active right thinking. It is daily and hourly devotion to divine Principle. It is purposeful endeavor to hear and obey the voice of God.
