In her words "O gentle presence, peace and joy and power" (Poems, p. 4), Mary Baker Eddy reveals the truth that the divine all-presence is gentle, peaceful, joyful, and all-powerful. As one watches a water lily unfold its petals, one can feel the gentleness of the divine presence pervading the whole garden. Here is a presence gentle, peaceful, and powerful, never marring or tearing the tender petals, yet so all-powerful as to hold the universe in its grasp! On page 266 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, we read: "Man is the idea of Spirit; he reflects the beatific presence, illuming the universe with light." Then there is never a moment throughout eternity when man is not showing forth the glory and perfection of God. A recognition of this fact will dispel any evil suggestion arguing to the contrary.
Centuries before Mrs. Eddy's discovery, when Moses was doubtful of his ability to carry out God's command to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, he received the divine message (Ex. 33:14), "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Thus was revealed to him the divine, ever-present spiritual fact of omnipresence which can be applied to all human needs.
Years later this divine idea of God's presence was revealed. When Philip said to Jesus (John 14:8), "Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us," Jesus replied. "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me. Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father." Here Jesus, understanding his perfect nature and being as God's idea, was able to reveal man reflecting the presence of God.
