Article November 20, 1926 Issue

Magnifying Good

SHEILA ELIZABETH JANES

Paul and Silas were prisoners, fastened in the stocks and guarded by soldiers. There seemed to human sense no possibility of their deliverance. But they had learned from their previous experiences that "man's extremity is God's opportunity," and instead of giving way under the burden of the moment, they took a very simple measure—they lifted their thought to God. The Bible says that they prayed and sang songs at midnight. "Midnight," used in this connection, surely means more than the time of day, even the darkest hour in this experience, when material sense pressed very bitterly upon them. But instead of being overcome by the pressure of mortal belief, we are told that they sang hymns, and that, moreover, the other prisoners heard them. These two intrepid disciples strove to lift their thoughts above their woeful condition to the realization of the presence and power of God, divine Love. What was the result of such faithful watching? The Bible recounts in simple language that "there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." Could there be a clearer instance of the power of the prayer of thanksgiving? The Bible enjoins us many times to rejoice even in tribulation. When we rejoice we are giving power to God, good, alone, and are thereby excluding the activities of suppositional evil.

A Christian Science student, one who had received many instantaneous healings, was constantly reminded of a "thorn in the flesh;" but the lesson of Paul and Silas encouraged her to adopt their mental attitude. She endeavored to rejoice on waking and on retiring; and, indeed, as much as she was able during all the day. In this way health and strength were realized in a greater measure than she had hitherto experienced. We can indeed all rejoice in the constant good that is flowing from God to us, and that we are capable of reflecting this love of God in the affairs with which we have to do. There never was one so poor that he had nothing to give to the world. Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, says in "Pulpit and Press" (p. 4), "Each of Christ's little ones reflects the infinite One;" and a few lines farther on she writes, "A single drop of water may help to hide the stars, or crown the tree with blossoms."

As we rejoice in small opportunities of doing good, we find in the humblest occupation an opportunity to "make channels for the streams of love." Not every individual is called upon to occupy a prominent place in the Christian Science movement; but all can be "lively stones," actively rejoicing in reflecting the goodness of God. As we do this, we learn that there is something for which our heart goes out in gratitude, above all the so-called material well-being we may realize. It is well expressed in the words:

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