Article April 15, 1922 Issue

"The power of the Word"

FLORENCE DAVIS KELLER

Between Jerusalem and Olivet lies the valley of Jehoshaphat, long ago called the "Valley of Decision." It is significant that the valley should be so named which spans the distance between these historic places. On page 195 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes: "The point for each one to decide is, whether it is mortal mind or immortal Mind that is causative. We should forsake the basis of matter for metaphysical Science and its divine Principle." When the student of Christian Science first begins to apply the truth of being, he has begun his journey away from the belief of life in matter toward the spiritual understanding of his at-one-ment with God; he has ceased to be a servant of mortal mind; he has chosen whom he will serve. Parting with a material sense of things, he finds each day new revelations of God's presence and power.

The number of proofs of God's care made manifest to one depends upon the steadfastness with which he holds to the truth of his relation to God, Spirit. To permit a lurking inward denial of truth one instant, then to attempt a step forward the next, is to journey along the way falteringly, as did the children of Israel, who would have been spared the forty years of wandering in the wilderness had they trusted obediently in God's word. God, infinite good, is ever ready to guide man; so man has but to express the qualities of thought which are willing to be so guided. To recognize this is to lay hold on the rule of demonstration by which one may go forward in the straight way,—the way of Spirit,—straight and narrow only because it is the dividing line between truth and error. Daily, hourly, thought by thought, comes the opportunity to turn from Jerusalem to Olivet.

Alertness to the rules of Christian Science requires faithful and persistent mental activity in declaring for the everpresence and all-power of good, and the instant rejection of the material lie. One may have to struggle to put out of thought that which in reality never was. Mrs. Eddy has designated and illumined the way of the Christ, Truth. She has given the "key" to the inspired Word. To "imbibe thespirit" (Science and Health, p. 495) is to drink in the truth of being, which brings healing and inspiration.

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