One Divine Influence

[Written Especially for Young People]

CAROLINE B. WINGERT

In the Preface to the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. xi), Mrs. Eddy writes of "a divine influence ever present in human consciousness." The student who accepts the guidance of this divine influence—divine Principle—has within himself an impregnable defense against any would-be counter influence. One consciously aware of this influence, which because it is of God is omnipotent, is armored within and without. Such a one has learned the secret of being in the world, yet not of the world. He knows that as a child of God he is superior to whatever is not good, and he is able to prove this as he drinks from the fountain of spiritual truth.

The intelligent apprehension of this good influence, which never for a moment ceases to operate in our behalf, helps us to recognize the utter nothingness of any other so-called influence which might claim reality. We know that "God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man," and that therefore we have divine authority for resisting temptation, realizing that each victory will help us to win some other.

He who has glimpsed the fact that life is spiritual, accepts the business of character building seriously. His spiritual insight and understanding of man's God-given dominion cause him quickly to detect a wrong influence, even though it may come under the guise of friendliness or desirability, and he rejects it decisively.

A young student of Christian Science, operating an elevator in a hotel, was urged one day by a group of house guests to take just one friendly drink. The young man refused in a courteous manner, only to be taunted by the sneering remark, "You are just plain foolish," to which the young man replied, "No, I am just wise, that is all." One of the group looked up with a startled expression and said: "Young man, you have something there. Keep right on being wise." The divine influence which he had recognized and relied upon since early childhood had impelled him to make an immediate protest, and as a result not only was the boy's self-respect strengthened, but others were given food for thought.

An individual is not necessarily manly because he follows unreasoningly the course of the world; he shows true manliness, rather, in the exercise of moral courage when he dares to say "no" if placed under the stress of temptation. To give evidence of our divine sonship by expressing those qualities of God which characterize the real man is to be truly lifted up; and the student who is lifted up in this manner will have his part in drawing all men unto the Christ, Truth. The affirmation of John that "now are we the sons of God" can be, and is being, made evident in some degree by many here and now. Those who are willing to acknowledge this divine sonship as a present reality, and to act in accord therewith, will experience a guiding influence in all their affairs, and they will find that their days are rich with blessings.

Sin is not a necessity, and he who agrees with God alone, that is, who accepts God's presence as the only presence, His power as the only power, and acts in conformity with this truth, finds that sin is powerless. Christ Jesus in his life practice demonstrated evil to be a lie, and his followers today can do likewise if they hold to good as the only reality. Referring to our Master's words, Mrs. Eddy has written on page 251 of "Miscellaneous Writings": "'The kingdom of God is within you,'—within the present possibilities of mankind. Think of this inheritance! Heaven right here, where angels are as men, clothed more lightly, and men as angels who, burdened for an hour, spring into liberty, and the good they would do, that they do, and the evil they would not do, that they do not."

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