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CSEC ON-LINE REFERENCE LIBRARY |
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PETER B. BIGGINS
The progress of the Christian Scientist records continual triumphs, and each victory may be richer, fuller, more joyous than those which have gone before. Thus, spiritual good is steadily gained by those who are faithfully striving to practice what they understand of the Science of being, which our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, discovered and taught. When difficulties confront us, our thought rises more quickly into the light of Truth and Love, and abides there more permanently. Even before the sense of evil is wholly dispelled, there comes to us the clear consciousness of the power and presence of divine Love. The life and work of the prophet Daniel afford inspiration to those who are seeking to understand and demonstrate the power of God. Daniel’s record of his own life-work shows that he saw clearly that the spiritual vision which he enjoyed, came direct from God. It is plain that the divine power realized by him wonderfully subdued the sense of evil, as, for instance, when he was delivered from the lions. In the narratives contained in the book bearing his name, Daniel’s struggles sink into the background; while the record of his grand achievement stands out like a shinning light, bearing witness to the power of God manifested through man. When we consider how few there were in Daniel’s day who possessed this clear spiritual perception, and remember how much God accomplished through him, it should be a great encouragement to us in this age, when, thanks to our Leader’s faithful work, the Science of being is becoming more widely understood. As a result of the revelation of Christian Science, there come to us today angel-visitants, inspiring thoughts, which speak to us as the angel — “one like the appearance of a man” — spoke of old to Daniel: “Fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong.” While human experience may testify to the frailty of mortals, a knowledge of Christian Science is enabling men to utilize divine strength. Thus, instead of depending upon human ways and means to correct wrongs, one learns through Christian Science how divine law operates and how to rely upon it. As we strive to allow this divine law to govern, we are indeed entertaining angels. These higher thoughts of ever present good bring keener insight, more courage, a firmer trust in the right, a full measure of practical wisdom, although this wisdom may be in conflict with finite human judgment. We enter a new realm of joy and freedom as we forsake the tendency to resort to merely human ways and means, and are more fully governed by divine law, which meets every practical need in the best possible way. Christ Jesus set before humanity a perfect model for conduct and a perfect rule for meeting difficulties. In rebuking the impulsiveness of the Apostle Peter, when he sought to defend his Master with the sword, Jesus said: “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” Nevertheless Jesus, through communion with God, constantly enjoyed the ministration of angels, the pure thoughts of God, throughout his career. We read that during his struggle in Gethsemane “there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.” If Peter did not understand what Jesus meant when, in the garden of Gethsemane, he spoke of the “legions of angels,” it is evident that later he must have gained a clearer understanding of God, good, and of the impartations of good to man; for we read that when, after the Master’s ascension, Peter was in prison, and prayer for him was offered unceasingly by the church, an angel smote him, and caused his fetters to fall from him, and led him out of prison. Peter then declared, as did Daniel when he was protected from the lions, that God had “sent his angels” and delivered him. If by dwelling on perplexing problems thought has become darkened or confused, one can nevertheless, without delay, catch in silent prayer the true tone of Christian Science and “arise up quickly,” as the angel commanded Peter to do. As we dismiss false sense promptly and decisively, and lift thought to discern the divine Mind and its perfect creation as ever present and unchanging, how grand is the freedom won through the spiritual light thus enjoyed! Our leader, Mrs. Eddy, writes in “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” (p. 299): “Angels are God’s representatives. These upward-soaring beings never lead towards self, sin, or materiality, but guide to the divine Principle of all good, whither every real individuality, image, or likeness of God, gathers.” After each victory over the sense of evil, angels minister unto us. We know this because of the larger measure of divine energy, the fuller consciousness of good, which we enjoy. Through the simple sense of God’s power and grace entertained by the beginner in Christian Science, even at his earliest stages of progress, successful results are attained. The student of Christian Science learns that through the realization that God does all, that which is enduring is accomplished. As one progresses in the understanding of Christian Science, he learns better how God accomplishes His divine purpose through His ideas, and thus he gains a firmer trust in ever present good. “Hear the song God’s angels sing.” So runs a line of a beautiful solo. Do not we hear the sweet song of angels when we gain a purer, fuller sense of God’s presence and power, when fear vanishes and disease is healed? It is then that we discern more clearly what Christian Science really is. Through the individual who is consciously entertaining angels, God imparts light and inspiration to many others. This is the nature of genuine Christian Science treatment, by which the sufferer is anointed with the oil of gladness and gains his freedom. As Christian Scientists habitually entertain angels, God’s thoughts, instantaneous healings become more frequent, and it is right that quick healings should be the rule in Christian Science practice. These results are brought about by God working through His pure ideas, “to will and to do of his good pleasure.” There must come to all earnest Christian Scientists a clearer sense of present harmony and of the unchanging perfection of spiritual being. The result of this higher understanding is always to quicken thought to higher achievement, to make one more watchful and diligent in preserving and using this “pearl of great price.” Speaking with sweet entreaty of the result of returning and planting one’s steps in Christ, Truth, our revered Leader writes in “The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany” (p.129), “Then will angels administer grace, do thy errands, and be thy dearest allies.”
Christian Science Sentinel, December 15, 1928 |
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