Perhaps in no one thing is Mary Baker Eddy more vindicated as God's appointed revelator than in the unfailing consistency of her statement of the truth. Even as she has given us seven synonyms for the one God, so has she patiently presented His law and its operation from countless viewpoints. These synonyms leave no aspect of the divine nature unapproachable, and yet they relate to the same one God.
Christian Science is indeed the seamless garment, each part one with another and so wrought with truth that no matter where one takes hold if it, there is the answer. One is justified in believing that any statement recalled in an emergency contains sufficient truth to master the difficulty, be it sickness, danger, lack, or sorrow.
One such statement occurs on page 171 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy: "Mind's control over the universe, including man, is no longer an open question, but is demonstrable Science." Each phrase may well be savored, word by word, and its strength, comfort, dominion, and unending action be allowed to extend like the expanding circles from the proverbial pebble.
Possibly the most common use of the word control conveys the thought of restraint, even to the point of hindering or preventing a false step. Only self-will or that which would harm could feel thwarted by such control. Is there anyone who cannot recall more than one instance where what seemed a disappointment in his human planning has proved to be a guiding angel saving him from disaster or at least a greater ultimate disappointment? And when faced with a difficult choice between two courses of action, what immense comfort and peace of mind is derived from the knowledge, acquired through experience perhaps, that under Mind's control one is not going to be allowed to make a wrong decision!
Then there is the control to which we voluntarily submit ourselves when we vision a goal to be attained at all costs. Such is the attraction of a high ideal that it becomes the inspiration and directive of our lives, and lesser attractions fall away. For this attainment we "lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and...run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebr. 12:1). We lay aside anger, disappointment, resentment, and aspire to the control of that unfailing love, unfailing adherence to Truth, unfailing loyalty to God's perfect creation and reality exemplified by Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (verse 2).
Mind's control is also synonymous with Mind's government, bringing about adjustment in one's thinking to conform to the individually and universally harmonious. As our Leader says on page 162 of Science and Health, "The effect of this Science is to stir the human mind to a change of base, on which it may yield to the harmony of the divine Mind." Restraint, incentive, and government relate to Mind's control in human affairs, which are susceptible of corruptibility, and which without control may become pandemonium or at least discord.
There is, however, an aspect of control which pertains wholly to the spiritual. This is the rule of Mind which unfolds the invisible universe, already present in its perfection, incapable of disarrangement. Recognition of this control and expectant obedience thereto uplift human consciousness, lead to wider use of the spiritual faculties, and bring to light spiritual realities, of which the material senses are not, and can never be, aware.
Mind's control, therefore, is restraining the unwise move, the impetuous decision; it is focusing all effort on the attainment of an ideal; it is resolving discord into conformity with Mind's ideal; and it is unfolding perfection in character, experience, and being. And this control, Mrs. Eddy tells us, "is no longer an open question." That which is left open implies something more to come; it suggests indecision, evasiveness, unchecked by law. Therefore an open question is the antipode of divine Science; and everything but demonstrable Science is an open question and will remain an open question to be overturned, overturned, overturned, "until he come whose right it is" (Ezek. 21:27).
A Christian Scientist awoke one morning alone in a seaside cottage to hear the rain pounding on the roof. As the morning progressed it became apparent that the elements were unleashed and this was no summer shower. It was a time for work in Science both by the homeowner and by another whose help she enlisted. Then it was that the text of this article came clearly to thought. With the heavens apparently open wide and completely unrestrained, the assurance that "Mind's control...is no longer an open question" carried peculiar comfort.
Still the storm increased, until from the window it could be seen that the water had covered the flagstones of the terrace and was slowly rising to the level of the outside threshold. As she walked back and forth declaring Mrs. Eddy's statement, the Scientist said to herself, "When I can hear this truth above the storm, the situation will be met," and in an incredibly short time the balance of her thinking was with "Mind's control." She looked out to see the rain lessening and the water on the terrace slowly but surely receding. It was a thrilling deliverance.
On page 10 of her book "No and Yes," Mrs. Eddy designates Science as one of the "largest words in the vocabulary of thought." She states: "The two largest words in the vocabulary of thought are 'Christian' and 'Science.' The former is the highest style of man; the latter reveals and interprets God and man; it aggregates, amplifies, unfolds, and expresses the All-God." The word Science, qualified by the adjective demonstrable, is a tremendous combination—demonstrable Science! If Science was not actual to begin with, we could never demonstrate it. And Science is the only actuality.
True Science is infallible law. It may be symbolized by the endless chain, identical in every link, fulfilling its purpose wherever grasped. The law of Science is eternally established for us to make use of. Thus in order to demonstrate Mind's control, one's thought must first be arrested by the fact that Mind controls the universe, including man. Then comes the enlightenment that this control is demonstrable Science, infallible law empowered of omnipotence and omniaction, giving out proof. How? That is not ours to outline, but it is ours to watch for and to cognize by a quiet consciousness, serene in its assurance that infinite, omnipotent good is in command.
"Though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come" (Hab. 2:3). It is operating right now in the universe, including man, and with each renewal of our recognition of the fact that Mind controls, the mist hiding its manifestation grows thinner until the full demonstration, which is conviction, shines forth. Mind's control never slackens; Mind is subduing; Mind is uplifting; Mind is revealing. As assuringly as in the day when the prophet Malachi first heard it, the invitation still rings out (3: 10), "Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts."
