Article October 17, 1931 Issue

God—Our Present Help

EDWARD BUCKLEY

Throughout all time, by divers ways and means, humanity has been seeking redress from its wrongs, and solace and protection from its trials and temptations. And is there anyone who would not avail himself of a certain way of obtaining release from his troubles and, in addition, gaining joy and happiness, if he were told of the remedy? Centuries ago the Psalmist sang, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." These comforting words, ringing down the ages, are as true to-day as when they were written; and the teachings of Christian Science clearly show us how to avail ourselves of, to make practical those promises of the Bible.

God has been generally thought of as a Being far away, to be approached through awe and fearful reverence or blind faith, rather than as One who may be understood and loved; and this in spite of passages in the Bible where men are exhorted to know the Lord and "be at peace," and are assured that they shall all know Him, "from the least of them unto the greatest." Christian Science, therefore, begins its teaching by bringing God "much nearer to man," and making Him "better known as the All-in-all, forever near" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 596).

In answer to the question "What is God?" Mrs. Eddy writes, "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love;" and she also states that these terms are synonymous: "They refer to one absolute God" (ibid. p. 465). Take just one of these terms, Mind, and contemplate its significance. Because Mind is infinite, and therefore all-knowing, all-intelligence, all-presence, we begin to see how impossible it is to get along harmoniously without Mind, God. Proceeding, we find that God, Mind, is also Love—Love itself. Thus, the only real presence is God, Mind or Love. What a wonderful help this understanding is in trouble!

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"I am not alone"
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