Article July 21, 1923 Issue

The One Answer

DOROTHY IVALOO PENDLETON

Whatever questions may arise, or however many of them there may be, a right application of Christian Science solves them every one. When one first becomes interested in Christian Science there usually are many queries pertaining to God and to man; and at first, almost hesitatingly perhaps, a friend who has been interested in Science for some time is approached, that it may be learned if such and such a question can be answered by Christian Science. Sometimes the timid beginner earnestly desires the answer through Christian Science, and yet may feel, What if it cannot be answered? But invariably, as the honest thought turns to God, it surely obtains an answer—one often so definite and clear that its correctness is self-evident. After a few experiences of this nature, the one-time questioning beginner finds himself knowing definitely that just in proportion as thought is turned to God,—as He is revealed in Christian Science,—for the answer to his every question, there is the perfect and invariable answer always waiting and ready.

A very helpful unfolding of thought came to a student of Christian Science in answer to the desire to act rightly in connection with subscribing for the Christian Science periodicals. This student was a subscriber for all of them except The Christian Science Monitor, which was obtained quite regularly at a news stand. When she began to see that it was also her privilege to subscribe for the Monitor, the thoughts would constantly recur: But you are not sure of a permanent address; you will no sooner subscribe for it than it will be necessary for a change to be made; just wait until you know definitely where you are to be! Thus, for a few weeks, she allowed herself to be deprived of the privilege of being a subscriber to the Monitor because of this argument of error, which seemed to be sound. Finally, she awoke to its mistaken nature and sent in her subscription, although she was not even sure of drawing any salary for several weeks, because of the summer vacation in the school where she was teaching, and although she was still in doubt as to her summer address. What was the result? In less time than it had taken her to decide the question of subscribing for the Monitor, she found herself most pleasantly located for the summer in a way which had previously seemed impossible; and her address, therefore, was definitely settled.

Some time after the above experience, the call came for more activity in the field in seeking subscriptions for our periodicals. The first thought which came to this student was to adopt the mortal mind aggressive way of telling people what they were missing, and of outlining that so and so should be subscribing. It was only a few hours before it dawned on the student that judging one's brother or outlining his duty was far from Christianly scientific. Thought was lifted to a desire to know how to act; and the answer came immediately to work mentally to know that no one in that community, or in the whole world at large, who is in accord with the demands of divine Principle can be deprived of the activity of good. Why? Because God, divine Principle, has prepared and provided the way in His spiritual law for each and every one to demonstrate good. It matters not whether it be those who never saw a copy of any one of the Christian Science periodicals or those who may have felt unconcerned regarding them; if thought is ready for the blessing, God Himself, the all-acting, all-knowing, Almighty God, will provide the way, so that no argument of lack or indifference or prejudice can keep them from their rightful, God-given heritage. Then thought unfolded even as the petals of the blossom unfold, the whole situation being regarded simply as another opportunity to see God glorified.

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