Article April 29, 1916 Issue

Unerring Guidance

BELLE KANT

In Proverbs we read, "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps." The truth contained in these words was most clearly proved to me by an occurrence which took place a number of years ago during a visit to the seaside. This experience of Mind's guidance impressed me deeply at the time, and left a vivid impression which has often come to me during periods of trial since, and which has never failed to encourage and cheer.

My hostess had planned a drive into the surrounding country. After the long, beautiful afternoon was over we returned the horse and cart to the stable in the little village, attended to necessary shopping, then descended to the beach, and in the sunset glow strolled for a mile over the sands in the direction of her home. It was nearly dark when we turned in through the garden-gate. The peace and harmony of the pleasant twilight hour dropped from me, however, as I suddenly realized that my pocketbook, which I had carried when we started out, was gone. Seemingly this was a serious loss, as the pocketbook contained my railroad ticket and a considerable sum of money, besides papers of importance ; but instantly, through a small knowledge of Christian Science, I corrected the sense of loss, declaring that to God, Mind, "the all-knowing, all-seeing" (Science and Health, p. 587), nothing was hidden, and that God's image and likeness reflected to human sense the penetrating vision from which nothing could vanish.

Acting on my friend's advice and my own inclination, I retraced my steps. Through the gathering dusk I hurried along the shore, holding fast to the truth ; but though I traveled in the path made by our own footprints, no pocketbook appeared. A search of the cart in the stable also proved fruitless, and the shops we had visited in the village were closed. Returning to the house, I resisted all sense of fear and apprehension, refusing to outline any means of meeting the contingency of the purse not being found. The expressions of sympathy and offers of assistance from my friends were likewise smilingly put aside, and thought was steadfastly held to the knowledge that as a child of God I could lose nothing necessary and useful, and that my every human need would be met by our heavenly Father.

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