Expressing Divine Principle

ALFRED MARSHALL VAUGHN

Nearly everyone has felt the keen sense of satisfaction which comes from doing something unselfish. In doing the unselfish act we are proving that man is governed by divine Principle, Love, which is the source of all bliss. So in the degree that we prove that man is at-one with divine Principle we experience peace and joy.

Many perhaps overlook the fact that one often has the opportunity to prove that divine Love is the Principle of spiritual man. Each expression of courtesy can become, not something done because good manners require that it be done, but a genuine effort to be thoughtful of the welfare of others, to express love, the endeavor to bring a greater sense of the ever-presence of the operation of divine Love to each one to whom we have the opportunity to be courteous.

Many have felt the desire to do great things, and some have experienced the joy of accomplishment which comes from doing something great. Few, perhaps, realize that in each task, however small, one has the opportunity to prove, by doing the task well, that man is governed by perfect Principle. As we accept each opportunity to prove that man is the expression of perfect Principle, we see that each unselfish act, each expression of genuine courtesy, each duty well performed, is a great thing; and we learn to fill our every hour with these great things, and thus increase our joy.

Some, doing something noble, have "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding." How wonderful it is to learn that each time we give up a desire to do something selfish, in order that we may do something helpful for someone else, we are in a degree expressing the divine Principle, infinite good! Each time we hold back hot words because wisdom tells us they might hurt someone, we are proving the presence and operation of Principle, divine Love. Thus we can learn to manifest the nature of man, who is ever the reflection of divine Mind, and thereby have true peace.

Many have expressed the wish that they might have an opportunity of working for others such as has the advertised Christian Science practitioner. We all have the opportunity of thinking rightly about each one with whom we deal and about everything. As we earnestly do this we are proving that man is governed by the divine Principle of being, perfect Mind; and thus we shall receive spiritual reward. And great is the reward. And great is the reward which comes from forgetting self in helping others—even the ability to reflect divine power; for as

Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 192), "Whatever holds human thought in line with unselfed love, receives directly the divine power."

The reward for expressing divine Principle in our everyday experience is found in the enhanced ability to demonstrate the truths of Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 283), "We must receive the divine Principle in the understanding, and live it in daily life; and unless we so do, we can no more demonstrate Science, than we can teach and illustrate geometry by calling a curve a straight line or a straight line a sphere."

If the student of Christian Science seems to be laboring unsuccessfully in his effort to gain a healing, let him endeavor to express divine Principle more in his daily life by being more thoughtful of the welfare of others; by being upright and honest, and by striving to do well each thing he has to do. This bringing out in his daily life of the fact that man is governed by perfect Principle will enable him to comprehend the truth of being contained in the Bible and Science and Health. And whereas before, when he had tried to declare the truth it seemed at times to be only words, it will become realization; and realization what is true about God and man heals.

Let the one who, perhaps, has been unsuccessfully seeking employment occupy himself with the effort to express divine Principle each minute of the day; then God's law, operating through right thinking, will lead him to where he can both receive and express much good. Whether he seems to lack needful things, friends, or ability, if he will earnestly endeavor to express divine Principle more in his daily life, his need will be met. Each task well done will enable him to comprehend better the true nature of man, and to demonstrate divine Principle by overcoming other discordant conditions for himself and others.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord," is a promise of unerring direction in the endeavor to prove that man is governed by the divine Principle, infinite good. He, Christ Jesus, who proved sin, lack, sickness, and death to be unreal, said, "He that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." These words reveal the secret of the Master's conscious at-one-ment with divine Principle and his ability to reflect divine power. May each one of us who calls himself a Christian Scientist ever earnestly seek always to be doing "those things that please him."

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