Christian Science reveals God, divine Mind, as the perpetual and only source of perfect action. In the realm of true consciousness there is always spontaneous, unfettered, fruitful activity. The Revelator writes, "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." Does not this reveal spiritual man's consciousness as incessantly reflecting omniactive Love and endowed with its power, purity, and joy? From this pure and active fount only perfection is emanating. Knowing this, the Christian Scientist is alert to deny the counterfeit suggestions which attempt to pollute his thinking with intruding beliefs of resentment, fear, sensualism, so diverting his thought from the pure source of true ideas. The intent of animal magnetism is to rivet thought to materiality; but the ever present counter fact is spiritual attraction: "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."

Recognizing and resisting every attempt of error to make him a false witness, the Christian Scientist knows better than to brood over any discord, for this ruminating over unreality claims to be the counterfeit action of the so-called carnal mind. If yielded to, it would prevent one's mental obedience to the demands of divine Principle.

This understanding of action as divinely mental provides the cure for all bodily ills. Our Leader says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 256) that "every quality of matter, in and of itself, is inert, inanimate, and non-intelligent." The mortal body, as matter, is incapable of movement. Thought alone moves it. Hence a so-called crippled or paralytic condition is not induced physically, but is due to acquiescence in the false belief of law as material; it is the effect of a darkened mental condition. Christian Science brings the much-needed spiritual enlightenment within reach of all who faithfully seek and utilize it. Its message awakens one from the fear of enslavement to a physical body, and from the notion that intelligence, which is spiritual, is subordinate to disease. Paul says we must be "willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." Is one truly willing to relinquish falsity at all points?

Christ Jesus, calling into expression the action of divine Mind, said to the bedridden sufferer, "Arise . . . and walk." Again, it was the continuous action of divine Principle, realized by Peter and John, that enabled the man at the gate of the temple, "lame from his mother's womb," to enter "into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God." It is the same action of Spirit, awakening mortal thought from its torpor, that is setting enslaved sufferers on their feet today, through the ministry of Christian Science.

It is not matter, per se, which keeps anyone bedridden or confined to a chair. True thinking is unconfined, untrammeled, for Mind's ideas are neither conceived of the flesh nor aware of it. The faculties of spiritual man are not confined in, or released from, matter. Hence the first mental change required of a mortal seeking his healing in Christian Science is the determined turning away from any supposed faulty, physical origin to the fact of Spirit as the only creator, and spiritual substance as the only substance; also the turning away from dependence on matter to dependence on Mind.

To one regaining his bodily activity, it may seem alarming to take his first footsteps across the floor. Then let this one ask himself what it was that supported Christ Jesus as he walked across the water; and what it was that caused Peter to sink when he launched himself on the same surface. Given the same physical element beneath their feet, it was their opposite mental states which produced opposite results. Christ Jesus knew that all is Mind and that, as Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 511), "The divine Mind supports the sublimity, magnitude, and infinitude of spiritual creation." Whereas Peter believed that matter upholds matter, Christ Jesus knew that omniscient Mind affords every one of its ideas strength, action, and support. Through fear, the disciple looked away from Mind to matter. Through spiritual vision, the Master looked away from matter to Mind. Christian Scientists are learning to follow in his footsteps; and this confirms their own footsteps, both mental and physical.

"Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness" (ibid., p. 514). Spiritual man is humble in that he knows himself only as the reflection of boundless good, and as always dependent upon his Maker. Hence all right activity is unimpeded, because it is the reflected evidence that God reigns in our thinking. Gratitude and humility are spiritual qualities, unfettered by materiality. The action of divine Principle does not start, and stop, and start again; does not act and then react. In divine Mind there is no crippled thought, no arrested action. Love is never tired of giving forth ideas of love, nor Truth and Life of giving forth true, living, active ideas; nor can the Christian Scientist ever weary of receiving them. Man's privilege is to express incessantly all that Mind is imparting to him. Hence in the verse quoted from Revelation it should be noted that the pure river of Life is always "proceeding" from the pure fount. The source of spiritual man's inspiration, strength, and courage never fails, and is never exhausted. One who humbly replenishes his consciousness at this eternal fount rejoices in fresh inspiration, activity, and strength. He acknowledges the power of divine Mind and divine Love to cleanse him utterly from all that does not proceed from the Father; and he thankfully, honestly, opens up every avenue of his thinking to this divine irrigation. Thus dematerialized, human consciousness is gradually freed from its clogging elements, and the individual, instead of waiting outside the temple of true consciousness, inactive and matter-bound, awakens from fear and inertia, and proves the truth of the promise, "They that wait upon the Lord . . . shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Violet Ker Seymer