"Order is heaven's first law"

[Written Especially for Young People]

FLORENCE I. EDWARDS

The poet's line, 'Order is heaven's first law,' is so eternally true, so axiomatic, that it has become a truism; and its wisdom is as obvious in religion and scholarship as in astronomy or mathematics," writes Mrs. Eddy on page 87 of "Retrospection and Introspection." Our Leader observed this law. Sibyl Wilbur, in her "Life of Mary Baker Eddy," says that Mrs. Eddy's life "was fixed by a very punctilious order." What a glorious example! What an inspiration for us to bring out a better sense of order in our lives!

Confusion, upheaval, chaos flee before the order of such spiritual qualities as peace, tranquillity, strength, courage, and dominion. Truly ordered thinking, under the control of divine Principle, is bound to heal any disordered condition in human experience, for where there is a high sense of order, disorder has no place. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 402) our Leader writes, "Science cannot produce both disorder and order."

A student of Christian Science, who was known to have accomplished much, was asked, "How do you do it?" and she replied: "By order. By doing one thing at a time and doing it well. By always knowing before attempting anything that all things are finished in Mind, and appear in their proper order." Paul admonishes, "Let all things be done decently and in order."

Orderly practice along any line of endeavor ultimately brings achievement. If we wish to be fine musicians, expert swimmers, tennis players, or artists, we must practice regularly and assiduously what we are taught. How then shall we become scientific workers except by orderly spiritual thinking—watching lest we only spasmodically know the truth about God and man. Mrs. Eddy says (Unity of Good, p. 23), "The divine children are born of law and order, and Truth knows only such."

The child needs instruction to help him realize that man expresses law and order. So, if a child is trained to be neat and orderly, he is likely to become exact, precise, and a law-abiding citizen when a grown man or woman. If a little girl is taught to keep her doll and doll's house neat and orderly, surely when she is a young woman she will express these qualities in her personal appearance and in her home. If a young man turns in neatly written, clean examination papers, no doubt he will later on bring out order and harmony in his office. Habits can be good or bad. We should form habits of neatness, promptness, and precision.

Does not the practice of keeping one's shoes shined, clothes brushed, hair combed, and hands clean, bring order and cleanliness to one's appearance? When we speak clearly, confidently, and deliberately, does not this show order in our speech? If we start the day with our Lesson-Sermon as set forth in the Christian Science Quarterly, and pray for ourselves, for mankind, and for the world in general, replacing wrong thoughts with good ones, does this not show orderly thinking?

Systematic thought and action is shown in the publishing of the monthly Journal, the weekly Sentinel, the monthly Herald, and the daily newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor. These appear in regular order, and never fail to bless and heal.

When we express the perfect order of spiritual thinking, then fear, selfishness, hurry, carelessness, and thoughtlessness will be eliminated from our lives, for order brings out rhythm and harmony in speech and action. What order we see symbolized even in the material universe! The sun, moon, and stars appear in the heavens in regular order. When our lives are ordered, we do each thing properly, realizing the truth of the words:

"In beauty, grandeur, order,
His handiwork is shown."

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