The most precious companion we can have as we go about our daily occupations is the inspiration of divine Love, and in order that spiritual inspiration may abide with us we must abide in love and good will.

In her Message to The Mother Church for 1902 Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 8): "The life of Christ Jesus, his words and his deeds, demonstrate Love. We have no evidence of being Christian Scientists except we possess this inspiration, and its power to heal and to save." And she also states that Jesus "was inspired by God, by Truth and Love, in all that he said and did" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 51). We cannot doubt that Jesus entertained in his consciousness only the thoughts and aims which were in accord with his Father's will. Then, in order to demonstrate Love's healing power as he did, we too must express the divine nature with ever greater consistency and rejoicing.

Jesus was successful in every task he undertook, because the basis of his demonstrations was his unity with God. This same conscious unity with God is the basis of our demonstrations as Christian Scientists. It lifts demonstration above the personal, fallible, or variable element, where mortal mind would attempt to place it, into the spiritual, infallible, and invariable might of infinite Mind. Are we grateful enough for the ceaseless inspiration of divine Love?

To some of us the first glimpse of this inspiration may appear as a timid desire for righteousness and purity, and this desire should be welcomed as the forerunner of incessant heavenly inspiration and demonstration. Spiritual desires are distinct from selfishness and finity and are subject to infinite unfoldment. Spiritual inspiration needs, of course, to be unremittingly guarded against the counter claims of material attraction, personal likes and dislikes, self-will, variableness, and so forth.

When we co-operate with God's purposes, at whatever seeming cost to personal sense, divine Love strengthens our aspiration after righteousness, and in due course it develops into spiritual conviction and bountiful fruition.

"Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way" (Science and Health, p. 454). The student of Christian Science never looks in vain for inspiration, illumination, designation, and leading, provided he yields his thoughts at all points to Love's clarifying, exalting influence and presents proofs of his reflection of Love. Spiritual inspiration out-shines all that is ungodlike in human thought and reveals "the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." At times one may be tempted to want "the things" without desiring first and foremost to express the love which reveals blessings. For instance, one may look for health and plenty while omitting to reflect the love which alone bestows and perpetuates them on the one divine basis. To demonstrate Love, then, is the primal need, and in proportion as this need is met the belief in any kind of lack fades out.

Since divine Love illumines the receptive consciousness, what is it that claims to darken human thought? It is the belief in a personal selfhood, the belief in hatred, resentment, destructive criticism. This mental penury is wont to be objectified as a diseased, desparing, or impoverished mortal. But Christ, Truth, blots out the mortal beliefs of fear, greed, envy, and other negative traits which beget poverty, discord, and complaint. Such beliefs being baseless, useless lies, they are compelled to vanish as myths when faced with Love's own inspiration and might.

Divine Love stands ready to redeem every prodigal. It provides for no desert experiences, no barren periods, no lapse from righteousness; for no fruitless efforts or backsliding. Love's witnesses are conscious of the invariable perfection of all creation. Ceaselessly, then, we must guard against every suggestion that we or others can fail to express divine Love. In seemingly dark hours a return to Love means the return of spiritual inspiration and abundant fruitage.

What but her pure spirituality and unwavering reflection of Love inspired Mary Baker Eddy in her triumphant warfare against materialism? What but divine Principle sustained her as Discoverer, Founder, and Leader through long years of selfless and sacred work on behalf of the human race? It was spiritual inspiration which, through her unfailing watchfulness and obedience, caused her to triumph over every attempt of mortal mind to turn her from her mission or make her shrink from its demands.

What, in our thinking, is contrary to divine Love? In belief there is still much that is contrary, much that is limited. But, scientifically speaking, in view of the divine fact that God is All-in-all and man is His exact image, there is nothing in His sight that is contrary. In this all-inclusive fact lies the secret of complete spiritual regeneration. Then to harbor any beliefs or feelings which do not honor divine Love would be dishonoring to us as Christian Scientists.

Discouragement, a phase of moral cowardice, is conquered by increased faith in Love's redemptive presence and power. Divine Principle beholds all things in the light of universal, infinite perfection. God, good, neither knows nor imposes upon anyone a single hurtful, sinful, selfish, anxious, fearful, or sorrowful thought. Therefore divine Love is the great emacipator, and man's God-given perfection is realized and demonstrated by the student of Christian Science through perpetually unfolding spiritual inspiration.

Violet Ker Seymer