Article October 23, 1920 Issue

God's Protection

MARY M. BEASLEY

When studying the Old Testament we note God's protecting care for each and all of the prophets, as their realization was on the side of infinite God, showing that the power of Principle predominated then as now, that sin and disease were healed as the prophets understood that man's life was not in or of material outlining, and did not look upon man as a miserable sinner but as the invisible spiritual idea. On page 306 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy says: "When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts. Oh, may you feel this touch,—it is not the clasping of hands, nor a loved person present; it is more than this: it is a spiritual idea that lights your path!" and this idea is the perfect love that casts out all fear and fortifies us with the truth of being.

As we read the life of David we find how fearless he was and yet how obedient to the still, small voice of Truth, with his unlimited faith in God's protecting power, when he offered himself to Saul to fight the champion Goliath, whom the whole army of Israel feared and dreaded: "Let no man's heart fail because of him [Goliath]," David said to the king; "thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine." But Saul was afraid, for David was only a youth and Goliath a trained soldier, but David had had untold experience of God's protection, and his faith was unbounded. Refusing the heavy armor that was offered him for protection, because he had not proved it, he simply took his sling and a few small stones, knowing that the same power that protected him from the lion and bear would protect him from this Goliath. Was it any wonder that the childlike courage, trust, and confidence of David won the battle for the Israelites? So we as Christian Scientists must go out equipped to face the Goliath of sin and disease without the material accompaniments, but with the assurance of our understanding that God never created sin or disease, and that our understanding of Principle will aid us in our work of proving their unreality. On page 210 of Miscellany we find this admonition from Mrs. Eddy: "Beloved Christian Scientists, keep your minds so filled with Truth and Love that sin, disease, and death cannot enter them." We must separate in our thoughts the tares from the wheat, the material from the spiritual, then we shall hear the bugle call for action, the activity of the sons of God, by making our Science practical, proving daily in every walk of life the allness of God. Jesus the Christ came in meekness to show us the narrow way that leads to the understanding of Truth, teaching that the kingdom of God is at hand, here and now, and to awaken us out of the sleep of supposed life in matter.

Never lived there a man so unselfish and honest. When he said, "I can of mine own self do nothing," and, "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works," he showed his oneness with the Father. Then again, he said, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God," making us see clearly that it was the active thought of good that did the work, and not his material self. He was always teaching in parables by the wayside that it was Principle that did the healing. So to-day we must rejoice in giving out our gratitude, for that same Principle is here forever sustaining and guiding man. The life of our beloved Leader stands out as a monument of strength and of untiring activity and patience for the good of all humanity, and through her courage and obedience she became the transparency for the healing of sin and disease which is the establishment of Christian Science to-day. Although trials and tribulations faced her on every side, she never wavered, knowing the power of God, and through her life of consecration she has given us the teaching of Christian Science with its command to heal the sick and sinning. As we reflect the understanding of Principle, suffering humanity will seek the Christ, Truth, and find healing.

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