Article August 27, 1938 Issue

God Is at Hand

MARGUERITE VON NEUFVILLE

THROUGHOUT the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy the importance of understanding God's ever-presence is emphasized. God, being All-in-all, is everywhere. Hence He is at hand, and can be found by those who turn to Him in trust and obedience. It logically follows that all the good for which people long is available to each one immediately.

What is it, then, which seems to prevent our realization and demonstration of the truth? Why does good so often seem absent, and evil present? Mrs. Eddy answers these questions on page 198 of "Miscellaneous Writings": "All suffering is the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of both good and evil; of adherence to the 'doubleminded' senses." The Apostle James gives us the recipe for the overcoming of this double-mindedness, saying: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

Everyone wishes to gain what he believes to be good, and to maintain it; but do we earnestly ponder and follow the advice of James? Do we purify our hearts of evil beliefs and gain instead singleness of mind? Do we strive to overcome the apathy, inertia, and resistance of the carnal mind, using our God-given dominion over them? Do we really accept God's promises, in which the Bible abounds? Whatever we admit into our consciousness as real externalizes itself to some extent. Do we always remember that we are free to accept good only—the ever-present truth?

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