Article May 8, 1915 Issue

Light in Our Dwellings

GUSTAVUS S. PAINE, PH.M.

In spite of darkness so thick that it was felt for three days throughout Egypt, the land of bondage to false conditions, the Israelites, as we are told in Exodus, "had light in their dwellings." In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy speaks of the children of Israel as "those, who through earnest striving followed his [Jacob's] demonstration of the power of Spirit over the material senses;" and again she refers to them as "governed by divine Science" (pp.309,583). Thus all who are striving to be governed in every activity by the Principle of Christian Science and to prove the power of Spirit over the testimony of the material senses, should let their light shine—should be able to show to the whole world that they too have light in their dwellings.

Christian Science is proving that many who have been in bondage to discord in their households, to petty jealousies, limitations, disorderliness in details, can receive such divine illumination and guidance as to dispel all these beclouding faults. The light of God's loving-kindness replaces any senses of morbid depression, irritation, or selfishness, with the expression of intelligence, the right idea of activity, wholly unselfed endeavor. When any human desire turns toward the light of Truth as revealed in Christian Science, the manifestation sooner or later is freedom from friction and ability to work with quiet rejoicing. Light and joy are the gift of God to all who sincerely seek the essential and reject the non-essential.

The light in our dwellings must, of course, ultimately shine for the benefit of others as well as for ourselves. In proportion as we prove daily that Christian Science heals disease, or better still, prevents it, and makes us more loving, happy, and amiable, we are letting our light shine, and we are approaching the time when the reluctant permission, "Go ye, serve the Lord," shall be given by even those who have most strenuously resisted the demands of Truth. Every temptation to relax somewhat the practice of genuine Christian Science must be overcome before we can hope for perfect harmony. Coughs, colds, headaches, mental or physical laziness,—to none of these do we have to submit and for none do we need mere human sympathy. All we need is the practical understanding that the normal activity of reflected intelligence takes the place of the particular belief in inactivity or overactivity which we call a physical ailment or any other trouble; and then we may go about our work of helping others with freedom and joy.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Light in Our Dwellings

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access