Atmosphere and Influence

LILY E. KERSHAW

In the course of our daily work, we are in constant contact with the thoughts of those around us. Through Christian Science we learn how to protect ourselves so that we shall not come under the influence of thoughts adverse to our health, happiness, and success. When one is enlightened by the truth of being, as taught in Christian Science, namely, that man is spiritual and not material, one need not be a victim of prevalent discordant beliefs, whether these appear as trade depression and consequent financial difficulties, as international problems with their hosts of fears, doubts, and suspicions, or as bodily ills, believed in some cases to be the result of weather conditions.

No one would willingly remain in an atmosphere which is depressing, confusing, cold, dark, and cheerless if he knew how to get out of it. But some, believing themselves powerless to cope with circumstances which they deem beyond their control, may in their ignorance yield to false influences.

Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has written in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 273, 274), "Science shows that material, conflicting mortal opinions and beliefs emit the effects of error at all times, but this atmosphere of mortal mind cannot be destructive to morals and health when it is opposed promptly and persistently by Christian Science." Then she adds these helpful words: "Truth and Love antidote this mental miasma, and thus invigorate and sustain existence."

With what comfort and hope the beginner in Christian Science hears this statement, and seeks to understand and prove it! The truth of it was proved by one young student who had been overcome by a prevailing epidemic of influenza. The difficulty seemed severe, and being unable to read for herself she listened eagerly to a friend who read many passages from the textbook. These affirmations of Truth and Love began at once to prepare her thought to receive the healing message and so counteract the suggestions of error.

The friend turned to the Bible, and opening it at John 14, she read on slowly and earnestly. Silently the words of truth were pondered, until the revelation came which dispelled the clouds. When the words were read, "Continue ye in my love," the patient heard the call to action. So clearly did she recognize that her only need was to rise up out of the false sense of self, and be her true self, the expression of Love, light, and joy, that the healing was instantaneous. Within an hour or so every trace of the discord had vanished. The cold, cheerless atmosphere of mortal beliefs and fears in which she had seemed to be for two weeks vanished, and she was free, in the atmosphere of divine Truth and Love.

The study of Christian Science, or the Science of being, leads one to a higher and a more spiritual view of all things. Grateful for her healing, the student turned more earnestly to the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's works. With the aid of Concordances she learned that "good is more contagious than evil," as Mrs. Eddy says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 229), and that "pure Mind gives out an atmosphere that heals and saves" (ibid., p. 260). She also learned that a dictionary gives one of the meanings of the word "atmosphere" as "pervading influence," and that the meaning of "influence" is, in part, "spiritual power, or the immediate power of God on the mind." She held steadfastly to the fact in Christian Science that man is spiritual, and joyfully acknowledged that the healing recently experienced had been received through the spiritual power of the Word. She recognized that the only real influence is that of Mind, or divine Love, ever present and operative, and that, acknowledging his oneness, or unity, with that Mind, an individual comes immediately under the law or power of God, good.

Our experiences as students of Christian Science may change and seem more intricate, and even at times more severe, but as, through our teachableness, the first lessons are thoroughly learned and understood, then the rule is always at hand to solve the more difficult problems.

The greatest good comes to the student, after a healing in Christian Science, when the whole experience is viewed as the working of divine Mind illuminating and blessing human consciousness with the sunlight of Truth and Love, clearing away the confusion and intricacies of mortal opinions, beliefs, and fears, and leaving unclouded the union of man with his Maker. Mrs. Eddy writes in "No and Yes" (p. 40), "It is Truth and Love that cast out fear and heal the sick, and mankind are better because of this."

In the Christian Science Hymnal we read:

"In atmosphere of Love divine,
We live, and move, and breathe;
Though mortal eyes may see it not,
'Tis sense that would deceive.

"For God, immortal Principle,
Is with us everywhere;
He holds us perfect in His love,
And we His image bear."

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