Article September 11, 1926 Issue

Now

GRACE E. YOUNG

It is often only when stern necessity forces one to take an immediate stand for divine Principle that the word "now" becomes pregnant with meaning to us. Being forced to take such a stand, the Christian Scientist not only gains a clearer and more comprehensive meaning of the word, but is enriched proportionately with a greater degree of alertness and confidence.

That Paul realized its importance is proved by a study of his words to the Corinthians. In pleading with them to "receive not the grace of God in vain," he presented to them this fact: "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Not to-morrow or next week, but now! What would be thought of the soldier on the battle field, surrounded by enemies, deferring or even delaying the duties of the moment? Just as the loyal soldier must meet and try to defeat the enemy when it presents ifself, so must the Christian warrior, enlisted in the battle for Spirit, God, meet and defeat the enemy thoughts when they present themselves. On no other basis can the battle for Spirit, Mind, be won.

That Mrs. Eddy, also, realized the significance of the word "now" is borne out by the frequent use she makes of it in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and throughout her other writings. While it is used often in the way of emphasizing transition of thought, it is frequently used to mean present or immediate. As such she uses it on page 12 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," where she writes: "We own no past, no future, we possess only now. If the reliable now is carelessly lost in speaking or in acting, it comes not back again. Whatever needs to be done which cannot be done now, God prepares the way for doing; while that which can be done now, but is not, increases our indebtedness to God. Faith in divine Love supplies the ever-present help and now, and gives the power to 'act in the living present.'"

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