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Helpful Thinking
On page 514 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy we read, "In the figurative transmission from the divine thought to the human, diligence, promptness, and perseverance are likened to 'the cattle upon a thousand hills.'" To a young student of Christian Science, trying to apply what was understood of it to daily problems, the three words "diligence, promptness, and perseverance" recurred many times; and it was found that these characteristics were becoming more evident in daily work. Being led in this way to ponder the paragraph in which they occur, it was found to reveal many beautiful and helpful thoughts; as, indeed, each sentence of Mrs. Eddy's inspired writings must do, when prayerfully studied.
"Diligence, promptness, and perseverance" may at first present a picture of unpleasant duties and hardships to be met and mastered, even, perhaps seeming to involve efforts of the human will. But how different these qualities appear when viewed in the light of Christian Science, which, Mrs. Eddy tells us on page 445 of Science and Health, "silences human will, quiets fear with Truth and Love, and illustrates the unlabored motion of the divine energy in healing the sick." For these qualities of God are man's by reflection.
Let us consider the results of applying these qualities to our thoughts as well as to our actions. One definition of "diligence" is "careful attention." We should, then, give careful attention to our thoughts. Are we accepting only those thoughts which are good, and thereby bringing good into our experience? How often we find that through carelessness we entertain some of the horde of erroneous or even malicious thoughts which vigilance and unselfed love would detect and resist. Or, perhaps, the cares and pleasures of material living have for a period been given precedence. If so, unless we diligently root out the offending thoughts, inharmony is bound to result.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
August 21, 1926 issue
View Issue-
Depending on God
THOMAS C. HOLLINGSHEAD
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Overcoming Inertia
FAITH HOLMES HYERS
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"Love prepareth"
EMMA MARGUERITE WATSON
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"In this place"
MILDRED M. DAVENPORT
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"Consider the lilies"
EDITH EMILY MORGAN
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The Perfect Model
PERCY TAYLOR
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Helpful Thinking
MARY T. TATUM
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If God is Really God to Me
LAURA SHELLEY ALLEN
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The other day you published a dispatch from London...
Judge Chifford P. Smith, Committee on Publication for The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts,
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With reference to the article on Christian Science in...
William C. Brookes, Committee on Publication for Midlothian, Scotland,
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A sermon reported in a recent issue of your paper states:...
Edgar McLeod, Committee on Publication for Northern California,
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I shall appreciate an opportunity to correct any false...
Charles E. Heitman, Committee on Publication for the State of New York,
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Due to an article, "Teachings of Devils," in your recent...
Valdemar Willumsen, Committee on Publication for Denmark,
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A Hymn
FLORENCE GILMAN HART
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Mind and Its Manifestation
Albert F. Gilmore
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Protecting Our Churches
Ella W. Hoag
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True Healing
Duncan Sinclair
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The Lectures
with contributions from Grace Sears, Matilda Mountain, Sophie Turner Howard, Hattie Morse Hamburger
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With a deep sense of gratitude to God and to Mrs. Eddy...
Laure Valloton-Delorme
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I am thankful for the opportunity to express my deep...
Fridolf Gustafsson
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I did not come to Christian Science for physical healing
Isabella Montgomery
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In gratitude for what Christian Science has done for me,...
Jessie N. Duncan
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The Christmas season will ever remain in memory...
John C. Hansen
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The Psalmist sang, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget...
Laura M. Manning
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One hardly knows where to start in enumerating the...
Edna Blanchard Young
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I am so grateful for a healing in Christian Science, and I...
Frank M. Sterling
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Signs of the Times
with contributions from Rufus Matthew Jones, George H. Morrison