Editorial June 7, 1913 Issue

INSPIRATION, HOW GAINED

Annie M. Knott

In the book of Job we are told that "the inspiration of the Almighty" giveth men understanding, and Christian Science would add that no true understanding can be gained in any other way than by divine inspiration. It is believed by many that inspiration is the coming of a supernatural influence to men, which fits them to receive and give forth divine messages, especially in times of doubt and darkness, and this without any special effort on their own part. Again, there are those who hold that every brave and noble thought deserves to be classed as inspired, and this would include the products of art even where these do not reach beyond the mortal concept of existence. We shall, however, get nearer to the truth if we remember that the word really means inbreathing, and that the divine ideas come most perceptibly to the one whose deep desires may be expressed in the psalmist's words: "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God;" or to use our Leader's words, "The desire which goes forth hungering after righteousness is blessed of our Father, and it does not return unto us void" (Science and Health, p. 2).

From the Christian Science standpoint, inspiration comes in some measure to all who long to know and realize the deep things of God, and its outward expression can best be judged as is the "faith that makes faithful." We thus look for the inspiration that inspires with high and holy thinking, with pure and purposeful living, whether it come to man, woman, or child. In the Christian Science Sunday schools the aim of all the teachers should be to gain for themselves such an inspired sense of the power of divine Truth that the pupils will all feel its resistless influence and be drawn toward the Christ-idea to receive the bread which "giveth life unto the world." We must not forget that inspiration found its best response at one period in the child Samuel, and that through him the people were led a long way toward the realization of the divine ideal of national existence which means first of all the righteousness that blesses all mankind, and the consequent prosperity that does no less. Peter tells us in his second epistle that "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost," which is explained in Science and Health as "Divine Science; the development of eternal Life, Truth, and Love" (p. 588). As this revelation of divine power comes to humanity, "the windows of heaven" are opened, and with the healing comes the inspiration which does indeed make all things new.

We should often remind the dear children in our care that "Spirit, God, is heard when the senses are silent," and that "we are all capable of more than we do" (Science and Health, p. 89); ofttimes, too, the teacher must realize this for the pupils, when the senses are not silent but are clamorous. We fully believe that divine inspiration comes to us through the Bible, as understood in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," God's message to this age, for we have daily proofs of the power of the word in the healing of sickness and the overcoming of sin. Shall we then doubt for a moment that it will do for the children what the apostle declared God would do to His flock at that day, namely, "make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."

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INSPIRATION, HOW GAINED

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