Finals

[Written Especially for Young People]

HINDA H. SATTLER

The word "finals" is applied to a series of examinations or tests which, at the end of each semester of the college term, are decisive and conclusive. By his grading, the student knows whether he has succeeded or failed in passing them; and the senior student, in the last semester, knows whether he will graduate. During his years at college, there is apt to be an underlying fear of the "finals."

If the student is a Christian Scientist, he knows how to defend himself against the mesmerism of fear, and is responsible for doing it. He is equipped with the knowledge of God that is power. This knowledge is the great fact that God is the only Mind. What a wonderful sense of security these words convey! Because God is the only Mind, one need not be the victim of mental wanderings. Man, in God's image and likeness, is the expression of God—infallible, immutable Mind.

The true sense of his God-given ability relieves the student of a false sense of burden-bearing. Just as the ray of light is dependent upon the sun for its shining, so is man dependent upon Mind for his intelligence. In "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 57) Mrs. Eddy writes: "Man shines by borrowed light. He reflects God as his Mind;" and in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she further sates (p. 511), "This Mind forms ideas, its own images, subdivides and radiates their borrowed light, intelligence."

No one ever recognized and proved as fully as did Jesus the power and might of God when the mortal sense of self is effaced and Mind exalted. Hence his statements, "I can of mine own self do nothing;" and, "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."

The student of Christian Science loses the desire for personal shining. Divine Mind radiates the light of intelligence, which he borrows. He has but to silence the belief of a limited ego-mind, and realize that the parent Mind, God, is the governing intelligence. All the power there is, is present to sustain one who gives God all the glory.

What are some of the qualities or attributes of Mind reflected by man? They are wisdom and understanding, inspiration, perception, order, accuracy, and the like.

And since fear is not an element of Mind, the infinite Principle, Love, the student understands that fear is actually nowhere. Only ideas or qualities of God are reflected by man. Fear, doubt, uncertainty, confusion, limitation, are unknown to infinite perfection, and man has no mortal mind with which to know them.

In the Psalms we read, "There were they in great fear, where no fear was." By this one understands that right where the fear seems to be is infinite Mind. omnipresent Love, with all the qualities one needs every moment. God is the Father-Mother of man, and is Love always. John says, "There is no fear in love."

Then what are invading thoughts which harass and confuse? They are but the supposititious absence of Mind—of intelligence. They are false beliefs about Truth. These negative beliefs are darkness, the reverse of the positive qualities of Mind. The remedy is to reach out for the "borrowed light" of Mind, and as that light is turned upon the darkness—intelligence is turned on ignorance—the darkness dissipates as a dream. One cannot make a reality of ignorance after he has been healed of this belief through the intelligence of divine Mind.

As the student of Christian Science consciously draws on the only Mind for his supply of intelligence, his thinking becomes orderly; for order, under the law of God, is at hand. He reaches out to Mind for inspiration, and the needed ideas come to him. These bring accuracy of expression, and the ability to grasp what his instructors are endeavoring to have him understand.

Thus the student of Christian Science, governed by divine Mind, learns that "finals" are opportunities to prove that, as our Leader declares (Science and Health, p. 591), man is "the full representation of Mind."

Cultivate the thankful spirit! It will be to thee a perpetual feast. There is, or ought to be, with us no such thing as small mercies; all are great. ... Indeed, a really thankful heart will extract a motive for gratitude from everything, making the most even of scanty blessing.—.J. R. MacDuff.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit