Article August 23, 1919 Issue

Behold My Messenger

MARION A. BIRCH

One evening in the summer of 1918, a student of Christian Science was somewhat sorrowfully regarding the situation which confronted her. Having seen an opportunity to help another student, she had been led by so doing, some time before, to accept a post entailing work for which previous experience had not fitted her, and high though her hopes had been, she felt her efforts toward accomplishing the work to be far from satisfactory. War time stoppage of traffic placed her out of possible reach of church services; she seemed isolated from much joyful companionship; and added to these troubles were financial difficulties; for she was not earning enough to meet her needs. She longed for a new copy of the Christian Science textbook, for her own was of an early edition which lacked the latest revisions made by our beloved Leader. This seemed out of her reach, however, at least temporarily; and when she had been forced to allow her subscriptions for the Christian Science periodicals to lapse, the last drop seemed to have been added to make her cup of bitterness full to overflowing.

This day, like so many others preceding it, had been sadly overshadowed by doubts and fears; but she sat alone, wearily, yet determinedly, facing the sense of discouragement and failure which battled for mastery in her mental home! Presently there came to her one whose difficulties seemed greater still, with whom doubt and fear and discouragement seemed to have assumed a form even more acute,—one who confided to her that every recurring visit of the postman was dreaded, because each fresh delivery brought letters of a distressing character. The student listened, while in her heart a great desire to be of help welled up. Afterwards, in the dark silence and solitude of the night, forgetting her own troubles, she sought the solution of another's problem. At last the answer came, borne surely by an angel visitant; for Mrs. Eddy tells us that "angels are pure thoughts from God, winged with Truth and Love" (Science and Health, p. 298). These words rang almost audibly in her ears: Behold, My messenger, whom I appoint! She was to "behold"—to see, even in the postman—"My messenger," the messenger of Love's appointing! And how should Love's messenger be bearer of any but "good tidings of great joy." Not only was this vision the way of solution for her friend's problem but she, too, was to find therein great blessing.

Not long after this she watched with joyful anticipation the "messenger" coming up the sun-swept garden path! And by post came a "message" bringing her a check in payment for work done without the least expectation of material remuneration,—a check sufficient to enable her to renew her annual subscriptions for the Christian Science periodicals, and also to buy a new copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." How could words express her glad gratitude for so clear a message, so true a proof that divine Love meets each human need? A few days after that there came another message, telling her of work awaiting her among friends, where all the help and joy which close proximity to an active branch Church of Christ, Scientist, insures would be hers,—work which offered her enlarged opportunities for service and for study, and in the doing of which her needs would be met. "Love," Mrs. Eddy tells us (Science and Health, p. 22), "is not hasty to deliver us from temptation, for Love means that we shall be tried and purified;" but Love never fails.

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