EVEN in these days of automation it would be agreed that nothing from the simplest gesture to the most complicated invention could exist without thought's conceiving and directing it. Accepting this premise, one naturally concludes that the nature of his experience depends upon the activity and quality of his thinking.
Of the man who meditates upon God's law, the Psalmist has written (Ps. 1:3), "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
Many people have proved the truth of this statement and have been guided and protected through prayerful thinking in ways that have often been considered miraculous. It remained for Mary Baker Eddy to give to the world the scientific means through which men can keep their thoughts and actions under God's constant control.
Christian Science teaches that all real activity is the reflection of the Mind which is God. In truth, man is not a limited mortal but a complete, compound idea or manifestation of divine Mind. He reflects all that God knows, lives under the government of divine law, and every aspect of his experience is the unfoldment of the one all-wise, all-loving purpose of divine Mind.
Mankind cannot immediately attain this absolute knowledge, but as they adhere actively to the Science of being and put it into practice, they find evidences of progress in their present human experience.
Under the marginal heading "Practical Science," our Leader writes (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 128): "The term Science, properly understood, refers only to the laws of God and to His government of the universe, inclusive of man. From this it follows that business men and cultured' scholars have found that Christian Science enhances their endurance and mental powers, enlarges their perception of character, gives them acuteness and comprehensiveness and an ability to exceed their ordinary capacity." Mrs. Eddy continues farther on, "A knowledge of the Science of being develops the latent abilities and possibilities of man."
In order to maintain the consciousness which quickly recognizes and corrects limiting thoughts, the Christian Scientist acknowledges the infinitude of God and man's relationship to Him. He devotes a suitable portion of his time to a study of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings.
We read that Christ Jesus retired to the mountain to pray, to refresh his thought through spiritual communion with God. Following the example of the Way-shower, the Christian Scientist will claim for himself periods of detachment from personal associations and activities and will clarify his thought with spiritual ideas. As a result he will be more alert to recognize the manifestations of error in whatever forms they may appear and to overcome them through spiritual understanding.
There is a right, spiritual concept regarding every individual and every situation, but this concept must be consciously sought after and brought to light. And evil must be annulled as an aggressive mental suggestion; it never has real entity. This is part of the practice of Christian Science. It makes life zestful and interesting, even if difficult to personal sense; for one learns to regard trials and obstacles as incentives to progress.
Unnecessary physical activity is one means of misdirecting human effort. Even in the more leisurely age of our Leader's time, this was true. She says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 230), "Rushing around smartly is no proof of accomplishing much."
Action without intelligent direction is mesmeric. Its spell can be broken by a rebuke to error and a mental insistence upon one's right to express the harmonious and purposeful action of divine Mind. On the other hand; one may be tempted into a theoretical or dreamy state of thought, and so be unalert to the right human footstep.
When very young, the writer quickly accepted Christian Science as a glorious revelation and as the answer to all her questions and doubts. For a while she wanted only to contemplate these uplifting truths. And then there was a tendency on her part to try to force what she had learned upon her family and friends.
Gradually she learned that Christian Science is more than a beautiful theory to admire and talk about, that it must be put into practice in daily living. She learned too that the active expression of spiritual qualities is what attracts others to Truth.
In the active spiritual knowledge and demonstration of Christian Science, there is no retirement. Since man coexists with his Father-Mother God, he is not destined to go through periods of growth, maturity, and decline. Being is ageless and deathless, and in the degree that one maintains in thought the continuity of right activity, he is freed from the belief that his usefulness is limited to a period of years.
It is never too soon for the Christian Scientist to affirm these truths and to know that he cannot be made either to fear or to desire retirement from useful activity. Then, regardless of human theories, he will find that the passing years bring increased mental capabilities and in addition the opportunity for their expression in the present human scheme.
Truth practiced is a day-by-day-salvation from all evil and gives to the world the signs of the Christ-power, which the Master required of his followers. Christian Science is not an ivory tower religion; it brings to us limitless possibilities of expressing Truth.
As we engage in the activity of demonstrating divine Science, we neither shirk the small everyday duties nor let them become obsessions; we make the distinction between self-centered ambition and the right desire for attainment. We become better artists or artisans, abler business people, happier homemakers, and we are more genuinely successful in all that we do. Turning to divine Mind and applying its truths to each circumstance, we find that spiritually mental activity and progress are inseparable.
