Article November 1, 1919 Issue

Following Principle

WILLIAM HALE COOMBER

WHEN a student of Christian Science grasps something of the meaning of the term Principle, as applied to God, divine Truth and Love, he gradually comes to realize the necessity of following Principle, as scientifically understood and recognized, in every detail and circumstance of his life. "Principle is absolute," says Mrs. Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 283), and therefore it is something which can be confidently trusted. The Christian Scientist is realizing ever more clearly that the real man is always governed, guided, and controlled by divine Principle, divine Love, and in the constant endeavor to live daily by this rule he is blessed exceedingly. When one is willing to let mere human will, desire, and planning be set aside, Principle does mark out the path step by step, if one is really bent upon following its leading.

In some of the isles of the Egean Sea, such as Mitylene, Crete, and others, there are few good roads, and if one desires to move from village to village, often the only paths available are the native shepherd tracks, which are invariably of a very rough nature. In taking several walks of this kind it was observed that there appeared to be a lesson for one endeavoring to follow Principle. The chief point noticed was this: that although the actual next step along the track was always apparent, often it was impossible to see just where the next step beyond that one really was until the first step had been taken; but having done this, it was then clearly to be seen.

So the thoughtful student of Christian Science can but conclude that the next step along the heavenward journey is really always there, although it may not be quite possible to see just where it is leading, or just what the next one after that will be. Over and over again it is possible to prove that when the one clear thing to do is apparent and is done, the next is then made clear, and so on. It may not always be quite what one would have outlined or desired, but it will always be the right thing, if one's main desire is to follow Principle to the best of his understanding. Following Principle reveals God's plan for us, because it means putting aside the merely human will and desire, while remembering that God always gives and sends the best to all His children, and it puts into practice the wise man's injunction, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart."

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