Article January 24, 1914 Issue

Trust in God

F. MILDRED RICKMAN

An incident which occurred while visiting some friends a short time ago, has proved helpful to me in overcoming a sense of timidity and a want of confidence which was apt to assert itself when occasion demanded that I should apply what understanding I had gained of Christian Science toward helping others. We had been listening to a young violinist, whose fine touch and technical skill, as well as the sense of harmony with which she played, had greatly pleased us all. The pleasure we had in listening was increased by the fact that she played entirely from memory. I could not refrain from mentioning this to her, and asking how she had been able to commit so much music to memory, so that she could play with absolute confidence. She replied: "Of course one has to learn thoroughly and practise perseveringly; and then—one has to trust."

How often since then I have thought of her reply, from which I learned a lesson. Our Leader says, "You should practise well what you know, and you will then advance in proportion to your honesty and fidelity" (Science and Health, p. 449). This was just what the young violinist had done in her musical studies, so that, having studied thoroughly and practised perseveringly, for the rest she could trust. And so, when the occasion offers itself in which we may speak a helpful word to one in need, let us not hesitate, doubting whether our understanding is sufficient, wondering if we shall voice the right thought. Did not the Master say: "It shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."

So spake Jesus the Christ when sending forth his disciples to bind up the broken-hearted, to heal those that were sick. We may be altogether sure that if we have confidence, and trust in the ever-presence of divine Love to guide our words and actions, we shall be enabled to offer the help we are so eager to give to those in need. But the preparation must have been made beforehand; there must have been the thorough application of the rules, with earnest practise. We must have learned to apply our understanding of the Principle of Christian Science, otherwise when the time of need comes, trust alone will not make up for work poorly done, or perhaps left undone, in times past. But if we have made good use of our opportunities and have learned by past experiences, then we can speak and act with absolute confidence, relying upon divine Love, which will never fail us, and which casts out all fear. Our Leader says, "Step by step will those who trust Him find that 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble'" (Science and Health, p. 444).

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