Demonstration

GEORGINA C. TALBOT

In the experience of those who are earnestly striving for a deeper understanding of Christian Science and a wider experience in its practice, there may sometimes be one problem that does not seem to yield to the healing truth. If only that demonstration were made, we think, then we should be free to glorify God in those greater works of which Jesus spoke. Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 574), "The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares."

It is helpful to consider the meaning of the word "demonstrate." According to Webster, "to demonstrate" is "to make evident; prove." Then, as Christian Scientists, what is it we have to prove? Is it not Truth? That is all that ever can be proved. It is impossible to prove what is not true.

Sometimes the endeavor to prove the allness of Truth and the consequent nothingness of error seems to be attended with small results. May this not be because the human will wishes to outline the form in which this demonstration is to be manifested, and the way by which it is to be attained? One of the first steps, and a necessary one, in the solution of any problem is honestly to examine the motive underlying the desire to make the demonstration. Is it a humble desire that divine Mind alone shall be glorified? Can one's desire be expressed in the beautiful words of the hymn,

"Be Thou, O God, exalted high,
And as Thy glory fills the sky,
So let it be on earth displayed,
Till Thou art here and now obeyed"?

If so, we can safely trust the working out of our problems to the beneficent operation of the all-loving Mind.

Often, however, the sunlight of Truth reveals the subtlety of so-called mortal mind arguing for greater ease in matter or for self-glorification. Then, if we would have the joy of demonstrating Truth, we must be ready and willing to watch steadfastly and refuse admittance to the "little foxes" of pride, jealousy, and resentment that would "spoil the vines." A student of Christian Science once felt that a change of work and environment was necessary to the solution of her problem. She learned, however, that our work is always just where we are; and it requires that in the midst of apparent discord we demonstrate harmony, as well as love and humility if they seem lacking. The time came when one younger in years and experience was promoted over her, and she was able to rejoice in that other's good. She had received many healings from sickness and other discords; but this experience was perhaps the most precious of them all. It was realized that a more difficult demonstration had been made; for to some considerable extent self had been eliminated, that God might be glorified.

With the motives purified, it is yet necessary to be sure that the goal for which we are striving is in accord with the divine Mind. Saul, "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord," needed a readjustment of his life's purpose. The awakening to this need came to him on his way to Damascus. Then, for three years he went into the wilderness experience. At the end of that time, his new name of Paul, one meaning of which is "little," signified his change of character; and in humility he was able to follow the leadings of Truth. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 207) Mrs. Eddy says, "Drink with living waters of the spirit of my life-purpose,—to impress humanity with the genuine recognition of practical, operative Christian Science."

The next step is to be willing to leave the fulfillment of our life-purpose to be brought about in God's way. The duplicity of mortal mind availed Jacob nothing, but sent him, an exile for twenty years, into a strange land. It was not until the light of spirituality dispelled the errors of materiality at Peniel, that he was able to attain his inheritance.

The ungrateful forgetfulness of the butler taught Joseph to turn away from personality as a medium through which to solve his problem. His emancipation was to be accomplished by further growth in spiritual understanding. Moses' desire to free the Israelites from Egyptian bondage was commendable. He had to learn, however, that physical force, expressed in the slaying of the Egyptian, had no part in the work of redemption. He, too, went into the desert to learn in humility the omnipotence of Mind.

We, also, often need to go into the wilderness, where "the longing to be better and holier, expressed in daily watchfulness and in striving to assimilate more of the divine character, will mould and fashion us anew, until we awake in His likeness," as our Leader says in Science and Health (p. 4). What a glorious flourishing of the desert is depicted by the prophet Isaiah: "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose." The joy of demonstration is ours as the desert places in human consciousness are transformed by the beautifying touch of Truth, as motives are purified, constructive thinking established, a more universal love manifested, and humility cherished.

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Preparation for Blessings

September 8, 1928

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