Article December 18, 1954 Issue

DEMONSTRATING DAY AS DIVINE IDEA

PETER J. HENNIKER-HEATON

Mary Baker Eddy , acting under divine inspiration, has set out certain duties to be performed daily by Christian Scientists. In Article VIII of the Manual of The Mother Church she gives three of these. Section I requires daily watchfulness and prayer for delivery from evil and evil thinking. Section 4 gives a daily prayer for the establishment of God's kingdom and enrichment of human affections. Section 6 states, "It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind."

Christian Scientists recognize these duties as designed to assist them in carrying out more effectively the healing and regenerative ministry of Christ, Truth. They gladly accept the useful discipline of performing them daily. But spiritual unfoldment is not regulated by clock and calendar. Although the orderly performance of these duties daily is of practical utility, it is by no means the whole of them.

That the performance of these duties may bear the full fruitage of spiritual demonstration, and that they may bring the satisfaction and inspiration which divine Love always purposes for its sons and daughters, the spiritual sense of what "day" and "daily" really connote needs also to be present. This spiritual sense Mrs. Eddy indicates in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." She writes (p. 584): "Day. The irradiance of Life; light, the spiritual idea of Truth and Love." And she adds in further elucidation: "The objects of time and sense disappear in the illumination of spiritual understanding, and Mind measures time according to the good that is unfolded. This unfolding is God's day, and 'there shall be no night there.' "

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