"Order," Pope defines as "heaven's first law." Commenting on this statement, Mrs. Eddy says (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 87), "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."

The quality of order, then, is plainly of prime importance, and should be given first place in our thinking if we expect to demonstrate harmony in our experience. Orderly, reasoned, accurate thinking is capable of all good. Confused, unreasoned, erring thought leads to unhappiness and defeat.

What do Christian Scientists mean by orderly thinking? It is to hold thought patiently and persistently to the spiritual facts of being, as we have learned them in Christian Science, and to keep these facts uppermost in our consciousness at all times, no matter what human activity we may be engaged in at the moment. In school we have numberless opportunities to prove the spiritual fact that man reflects divine intelligence. At play we may bear witness to the fact that God's child manifests strength, spontaneity, joy, friendliness, and all the other lovely qualities which make us welcome participants in any game. In business we are privileged to demonstrate the much-needed fact that co-operation, brotherly love, forbearance, lead to success, and have their legitimate place in the business world, as elsewhere. When we bring to even our smallest tasks the qualities of diligence, promptness, neatness, cleanliness, we prove that the law of harmony is governing us. Indeed, it is necessary to prove this in the little things before we can do so in the larger tasks. Spiritual right thinking, like an undertone of rich music, should accompany every human activity, hallowing our accomplishments and giving them true significance.

Now let us consider what orderly thinking excludes, for this will be helpful in teaching us to govern our thought processes aright. First of all, in clear, systematic thinking there can be no disorder or confusion. We must understand that there is only one Mind, God, and that we reflect Him, and therefore possess the ability to think wisely, logically, and with unerring judgment. As we ponder this spiritual truth, we shall be freed from any mortal belief of indecision or worry, and we shall demonstrate the power—actually already ours—of scientifically coherent thought. Such thought is the most potent force for good, since it individualizes the power of divine Mind and acts with instant healing effect. It will remove from our experience both ignorance and the effects of ignorance. It will clarify our vision, strengthen our growth, and safeguard each step of our career.

We can readily see that orderly thinking is not weak thinking. What are the weak thoughts we must avoid? An example of these would be the fruitless thoughts embodied in fanciful flights of the imagination. All the good we can possibly have is in reality ours now. Then, to think of what might be, or what we hope will be, is an unnecessary waste of time. We must set ourselves to demonstrate, through systematic right thinking, that everything we could possibly need is already ours through God's bountiful provision. Instead of fainthearted longing for some distant dream of pleasure, let us remember Mrs. Eddy's words (Science and Health, p. 1), "Desire is prayer; and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds." Thus we shall demonstrate the good we long for; and it will come to us God's way, which is always more wonderful than our own way.

Self-pity, self-condemnation, fear, are suggestions of weakness which we must learn to detect and cast out of our thought. It is a good thing to remind ourselves frequently that such false conditions of thought are really no part of us because they are no part of God, and we must be very careful never to accept any erroneous trait in the guise of inherited weakness. Our inheritance is wholly good because it is from God. Our nature is wholly good because it is one with God's nature.

There can be no better recipe for orderly thinking than Paul's advice to the Philippians: "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

As we follow this wise counsel, we shall gain poise and steadiness of purpose. We shall control our thoughts, and therefore our bodies, with strength and certainty, and shall demonstrate in our experience "heaven's first law."