Article September 1, 1917 Issue

Responding to the Divine Demand

ETHYLE B. NESBIT

As one contemplates the spiritual realities which are unfolded through study of the Lesson-Sermon, thought rises in gratitude for the table that divine Love has so bountifully spread for us during this awakening process which is revealing the truths of spiritual existence. A recent experience proved the Lesson-Sermon to be the word of God, guarding and guiding thought into a fuller understanding of God and man as His idea.

A testimony of the perfect healing of a baby's finger, the tip of which had been cut off just above the nail, had been lovingly offered at the mid-week testimony meeting; and while one was glorifying God for this wonderful manifestation of His power and presence, the thoughts of another were unconsciously expressing doubt. She was, however, suddenly awakened to the error by a recollection of the demand of Truth as expressed by Paul, "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" But instead of admitting gratitude for this healing truth, and rebuking the error, thoughts of condemnation were admitted. To think that one who had proved in Christian Science the healing power of God, should doubt! This greater enemy was not, however, discovered until the next morning, when the Lesson-Sermon was taken up, and obedience in respect to the daily study uncovered the intruder; though it again presented itself and sought to darken the true sense of the Bible reading. When, however, the following reference from Science and Health was taken up, the enemy received its death-blow: "Human ignorance of Mind and of the recuperative energies of Truth occasions the only skepticism regarding the pathology and theology of Christian Science" (p. 252).

This spiritually awakened faith is healing all mankind. Many times in our striving to rise higher we ask, "What lack I yet?" We may feel that we have accepted Christian Science as the truth, that we study the Lesson-Sermon, and all the books by Mrs. Eddy, read the articles and experiences in our periodicals, and yet we do not get out of our study what others apparently do. Possibly we lack a vital faith that Christian Science is the word of God; perhaps we have not realized the importance of guarding its divine mission by knowing that it is under the same protection as was the church of which Isaiah declared, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn."

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