Outstanding Error

[Written Especially for Children]

ALICE DAVIS SHELMIRE

HAVE you ever watched your shadow? Sometimes in the morning it stretches out long and slender before you. At other times it marches along at your side or falls behind. But the shadow is not yourself.

In her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy tells us (pp. 510, 511), "Science reveals only one Mind, and this one shining by itsown light and governing the universe, including man, in perfect harmony." Christian Science teaches us that this Mind, or Spirit, is God, perfect, boundless, unchanging. Its perfect harmony fills all space, and man dwells safely and happily in its presence. Its light shines throughout his entire being. There can be no darkness in the realm of Spirit, Mind, because there is no matter in Spirit.

When the truth of God's presence and power glows steadfastly in our hearts and is held uppermost in thought, no false beliefs concerning ourselves or others can obstruct that light, can succeed in casting in our path, along the way, any shadow of unhappiness, fear, or sickness. Mrs. Eddy has written (ibid., p. 474), "Truth destroys falsity and error, for light and darkness cannot dwell together." Yes, the understanding of God's goodness and nearness outshines all error—it makes no difference where or what it may appear to be.

Each one can prove this to be true. A little girl, who was a Christian Scientist, once became frightened and ill during the night. But she knew what to do at a time like that. Going into the next room, she said: "Auntie, let's talk about God. Let's tell all that He is." So they talked about God, recalling many spiritual facts which she had learned at Sunday school: that God is Life, Truth, and Love; that He is good, and everywhere present, so that His children can never be separated from Him; that He is always loving and caring for each one of them; that because God is perfect, His likeness, man, is perfect. The shadow of fear disappeared as these truths flooded thought and all sense of illness vanished. The child soon fell asleep, awaking in the morning joyous and free.

This light of Love shines everywhere. In the schoolroom, at home, in Sunday school, on the street or playground, wherever we are, we may feel its blessing. We cannot see this light of Love with our eyes as we see the sunshine, but as it illumines our consciousness it gleams brightly through our work and play in gladness, kindness, unselfishness, honesty, and obedience. Thus we become better thinkers, more willing helpers, pleasanter companions. We learn how very important it is always to remember what the Bible says: "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness."

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