Article February 18, 1939 Issue

Unfaltering Activity

BEATRICE CLAYTON

A student of Christian Science was confronted with apparent unkindness and injustice. She felt that she had not drawn these attacks upon herself by wrong thinking, even inadvertently, but they persisted in spite of her efforts to handle the situation according to the teachings of Christian Science. While she was struggling with suggestions of discouragement and fear, these words from the prayer of the apostles came to her thought more than once: "Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word." Each time the words were dismissed because they seemed to have no bearing on her problem. But finally their persistent recurrence caused her to study the fourth chapter of Acts, in which they occur.

The man, lame from birth, who lay daily at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, had been healed by Peter. This healing and the bold preaching of Peter and John, caused such a stir as to incense the authorities, who arrested them, threatened them with punishment, "and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus." Upon their release, the apostles went to the little company of believers, who, when they heard what had been done, "lifted up their voice to God with one accord." What was this prayer? No pleading for protection, no word of discouragement! After acknowledging the omnipotence of God, they prayed, "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal."

Gratefully recognizing the angel, or message from God, which thus rebuked self-love, clearing her vision to behold again the true objective—that of demonstrating the Christ, Truth, at all times, under all circumstances—the student resolved to rise higher in the consciousness of the real, that she might not be daunted by material antagonism to Truth. With restored confidence she went her way, and though error continued its boasting for a time, it finally disappeared.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Maintaining a High Standard of Living