Article July 27, 1918 Issue

Silence and Harmony

SIBYL SAMMIS-MAC DERMID

Christian Science reading rooms all over the world are a means of helping and healing not only the beginner in his first efforts to learn about God, but also the older student who for years has depended upon his understanding of Principle to heal, comfort, and sustain him. Many times in the daily activities of life there arises the need to be alone where the harsh noises of the day may be shut out and where the command, "Be still, and know that I am God," may be obeyed. Gratitude for all our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy, has done for mankind is continual, but at such times one's gratitude to her is unbounded for having so lovingly provided the Christian Science reading rooms. Some months ago in the midst of a long day there came an interval between engagements which allowed the writer to go to the Christian Science reading room, that was not far distant. The sense of weariness was emphasized by a severe cold and a cough which suddenly made their appearance, the latter seeming to be even more in evidence in the quiet of the reading room.

The writer hastened to study the Lesson-Sermon for the day, also to work mentally as we are taught, but there seemed to be a great deal of discord manifested, and there was much anxiety for fear this might disturb the many others in the room. Just then her eyes were arrested by the sign on the table, "Silence is maintained in this Room," and gradually the real import of these words began to take possession of her thought, and it became clear that the material senses must be silenced in order to gain a vision of the real senses of man. It was realized that if a sense of pain seems to be clamoring for recognition, this can be silenced by truth; if mortal opinions, self-condemnation, resentment, and fear try to make confusion, these voices can be silenced, the still, small voice of Love can then be heard, and the omnipotence of Mind revealed. Thought had risen from the contemplation of matter to a realization of spiritual reality, so when at last it was necessary to return to the duties of the day, all weariness had fled, peace and calm had flooded consciousness, and the silencing of the false material senses had been brought about by the spiritual interpretation of silence presented by the sign on the table.

It is always true that in working out any problem the right idea is armed with authority and power, and there is always the right idea waiting and ready to be utilized. The mortal, discordant tone will be silenced in proportion to our honesty, our faithfulness in overcoming criticism, self-pity, self-justification, or any other form of selfishness. The divine harmony of being will be realized as we gain the meaning of Mrs. Eddy's words in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 93): "The best spiritual type of Christly method for uplifting human though and imparting divine Truth, is stationary power, stillness, and strength; and when this spiritual ideal is made our own, it becomes the model for human action."

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