Article May 26, 1923 Issue

"Sound wisdom"

STELLA BRIGGS

In Proverbs we read, "He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly." The expression "sound wisdom" is used three times in the book of Proverbs; and it is, in fact, the only book in the Bible where we find it. This expression is translated from a Hebrew word, the meaning of which is "substance." Mrs. Eddy defines "substance" in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 468), thus: "Substance is that which is eternal and incapable of discord and decay. Truth, Life, and Love are substance." Then, substance must of necessity be that which is immutable and indestructible. Paul gives the thought that it is the evidence, or proof, of that which is not cognized by the five physical senses.

The question arises, How are we to acquire this "sound wisdom" which is true substance? Since all is Mind, all true substance is inherent in and is a quality of divine Mind, which we, as God's ideas, possess only through reflection. It is our divine inheritance from our Father-Mother God, which we must discern through spiritual vision and then claim as our own, in order to demonstrate, or make practical, this durable and lasting substance in our daily experience. Whenever there may seem to be a sense of lack or of limitation, which really characterizes all error,—whether it be a seeming lack of home, companionship, supply, or health,—we can know that divine Love has already provided all; and it is ours, as soon as we claim it properly. If an inheritance were left to us by an earthly parent, we should be required to do our part in recognizing and acknowledging the gift, according to the law of the land wherein this estate existed. So it is with our spiritual inheritance. We must recognize and acknowledge that God is the Giver of every good and perfect gift, thereby coming into consonance with God's spiritual laws, which are as invariable and unchangeable as God Himself, for they are an emanation of the one Mind. Then it is that we begin to realize, in a degree at least, that which worldly thought cannot grasp,—that "Christians rejoice in secret beauty and bounty, hidden from the world, but known to God" (Science and Health, p. 15). What could be of more value to us than the realization that we are gaining something of this wonderful treasure from the infinite storehouse of divine Mind? Our revered Leader lived very close to God; and she caught and reflected so much of this glowing reality that it enabled her to bring to our age the revelation of the truth about God and about man in His image and likeness; also, to show us how to obtain this spiritual inheritance, as God's children.

As this "sound wisdom" is laid up for the righteous, we must understand what it means to be righteous. Surely it is only another way of saying that "the pure in heart ... see God;" for righteousness is, primarily, honest desire and right thinking. It is a sense of rightness, or at-one-ment with God, good. As we learn to be truly and fully obedient to the rules laid down for us in the Bible and our textbook, do we acquire this "sound wisdom." In Science and Health (p. 15) we find this admonition: "We must resolve to take up the cross, and go forth with honest hearts hearts to work and watch for wisdom, Truth, and Love. We must 'pray without ceasing.'"

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