Editorial May 15, 1915 Issue

God's Ever-presence

John B. Willis

No Scripture promise is more comforting than that which reads, "My presence shall go with thee." Indeed, Christianity would be well defined as the realization of and reliance upon this single word of God. Few men have lived a more spiritually sovereign life, one which proved a greater blessing to mankind, than did John Wesley, and the secret of both his saintliness and his song was made plain when he said, in the earthly twilight hour, "The best of all is, God is with us."

The moment one begins to think of this assurance of God's ever-presence, he is impressed with the wonder of it, since "us" so often stands for unideality, imperfection, contented and ofttimes presumptive ignorance,—and what possibility is there of any fellowship between God and these factors of the mortal make-up, between Truth and error, Spirit and matter, wisdom and stupidity, light and darkness? The answer of Christian Science to this question is unequivocal, namely, that there is no such fellowship; that there is no truth in error and no error in Truth. On page 282 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy points out that "eternal Mind and temporary material existence never unite in figure or in fact."

That opposites are mutually exclusive is fundamental to science; there can be no association of them, either in God's nature or in man's. Their association belongs not to divine consciousness, but to imperfect human sense. As a seeming, however, it is tragically serious. The sense of disharmony and the desire for salvation from its rule is universal. In the exigencies of experience the heart of all mankind cries out for God, even as the little child calls for its mother in every instant of need. How wonderfully interesting the fact, that the call for an ever present God is as continuous as racial life; it is both universal and imperative. Who is there that in his hours of trial has not sincerely longed for the strength or wisdom, the guidance or protection, the affection or inspiration, which he recognizes that God alone can supply? And who in the conscious possession of some such good has not said, "Thank God"?

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Editorial
Remembrance
May 15, 1915
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit