Article November 20, 1926 Issue

Acknowledgment

CLYDE D. CAREY

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths," we read in Proverbs. It is worth while to pause and consider how we should acknowledge God. It is clear that lip-service is not sufficient acknowledgment to bring us into at-one-ment with Love's purpose, either in working out our own salvation or in helping others. The mere words "I believe" are not enough. Nor is it enough to recognize God as "a very present help" in some kinds of trouble or in some hours of darkness, but not in others. "In all thy ways acknowledge him," are the words of wisdom; and he is a wise man indeed who heeds this saying.

Christian Science begins and ends with the acknowledgment and assurance that "the Lord he is God." The second tenet of Christian Science, as given by Mrs. Eddy on page 497 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" states clearly that "we acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God;" and in many places in our Leader's writings we are admonished to be quick to acknowledge God, in order that we may ally ourselves with Him. On page 372 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy also writes, "A denial of Truth is fatal, while a just acknowledgment of Truth and of what it has done for us is an effectual help." Since the prayer of Christian Science is the prayer of spiritual understanding that all things are possible to God, it is easy to see why the acknowledgment of Truth is an effectual help. Surely good cannot enter our consciousness unless we keep the doors open; and there is no better way of maintaining the open door than by constantly realizing the existence, the presence, the power of God.

In our Wednesday evening testimony meetings especial opportunity is given to acknowledge God. The sense of peace and security, as well as the thought of giving to others, always characterizes the mental atmosphere of a Christian Science service. We therefore know that our admission of the beneficial effects of the study of Christian Science is going to reach many of those who have come for the purpose of honest inquiry as to the results to be expected from this source. Certainly pride, superstition, and fear can prevent neither the honest recognition of benefits received nor the just acknowledgment of the source from which we as Christian Scientists know that all our blessings proceed.

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