It is important for us to understand what is really going on; that is, to be aware of what is really being imparted to us. The dictionary definitions of "impart" include such meanings as "to make known," "to give, bestow." Christian Science teaches that imparting is a function of infinite Mind alone. So-called mortal mind cannot make anything known; it cannot give anything because it knows nothing true and has no good to give.
However, mortal mind claims it knows much and that it has much to give. But the knowledge it claims it can impart is comprised of the beliefs of material existence, which produce sickness, lack, sin, and death. In the Biblical allegory of Adam and Eve the acceptance of the belief that error can impart knowledge caused each to lose paradise. Humanity regains paradise by accepting what divine Mind is ever imparting.
On pages 252 and 253 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy brings out the false imparting of material sense and the genuine imparting of Spirit, God. After pointing out that what mortal mind claims it can give may at any moment disappear, she gives Spirit's testimony, part of which reads: "The beauty of holiness, the perfection of being, imperishable glory,—all are Mine, for I am God. I give immortality to man, for I am Truth. I include and impart all bliss, for I am Love. I give life, without beginning and without end, for I am Life. I am supreme and give all, for I am Mind."
The power one gains from accepting the true imparting of Mind is shown in the following incident. A student of Christian Science was burdened with a feeling of great responsibility. He was not able to shake this off, and then a physical difficulty presented itself. He continued earnestly praying, acknowledging Mind as the ever-active Life that is Love. Then the words of our Leader quoted above brought to him clearly the realization that Mind, Love, was imparting to him a sense of freedom and causing him to understand Mind's perfect care for everything in its infinite universe. Instantly the physical trouble was gone; he felt uplifted, and he rejoiced in the fact that Mind, the only Father-Mother, was constantly imparting to him "the beauty of holiness, the perfection of being, imperishable glory."
In Jesus' temptation in the wilderness the seeming operation of error, animal magnetism, is shown and also the right method of dealing with it. Error claimed that it had much to give, but imposed conditions, as it always does (Matt. 4:9), "All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Christ Jesus did not admit that error was real; he did not respond' to error's claim that it could give good, but said, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Following this rejection of the belief that mortal mind can give anything and this assertion of allegiance to divine Mind only, angels came and ministered to the faithful Son of God.
Let us likewise be alert to reject the belief that mortal mind can give us anything or that it can take away our joy, our purity, our health, our consecration. Let us see as a fable its claim that it can interfere with our well-being. Let us reject the belief that evil is mind and turn wholeheartedly to the one Mind, which is ever imparting health, joy, holiness, completeness.
When we wish to give a testimony of healing in Christian Science or to express the truth in some other way, let us not accept what mortal mind seems to impart— self-consciousness, procrastination, fear that we may not say the right thing or that we may be criticized—but let us turn to the fact that Love, Mind, is ever imparting confidence, inspiration, and freedom. Then we shall receive such an angel message as came to Isaiah (51:16), "I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people."
As we prayerfully consider past mistakes and past progress, we shall see that the mistakes were the result of accepting what mortal mind seemed to impart and that the progress was the result of listening for and heeding what divine Mind imparted to us. We can dispel all that mortal mind seems to have imparted to us in the past by unreservedly accepting the fact that all we really have is what divine Mind has bestowed upon us.
Error seems to impart to us the sense of time, with its beliefs of age and change, of deterioration, impairment, lessening of strength, vigor, and ability. But divine Mind is ever imparting to us ageless being, unchanging perception and comprehension, strength, energy, and perfect ability.
Error seems to tell of hate, greed, dishonesty, domination, and other evil influences at work; but from divine Mind there comes to us the knowledge of man as made up of the divine qualities of Love, the animating Principle. This true imparting causes us to feel God's love and to see our brother men as in reality the reflections of divine Love.
Mortal mind tries to tell us that we exist in a material body, which is often discordant; but on page 280 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes, "Rightly understood, instead of possessing a sentient material form, man has a sensationless body; and God, the Soul of man and of all existence, being perpetual in His own individuality, harmony, and immortality, imparts and perpetuates these qualities in man,—through Mind, not matter." The understanding that we dwell in the consciousness of perpetual individuality, harmony, and immortality lifts thought above belief in frailty and discord.
Christ Jesus said (Luke 12:32), "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Our Father-Mother God is ever imparting to us that which, when our thought is open to it, will enable us each day to be more conscious of heaven, the eternal harmony of being. As we realize this fact, we are able to offset what mortal mind seems to be saying to us and can rejoice that the perfect Mind is ever imparting freedom, joy, and infinite perfection.
