Article October 4, 1941 Issue

"Angels" in Lecture Preparatory Work

LELIA EUGENIE SMITH

As Christian Science is the angelic message which through spiritual inspiration came to our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, we may profitably study the subject of "angels" in our preparatory work for a Christian Science lecture.

In the Glossary of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 581) Mrs. Eddy defines "angels" as "God's thoughts passing to man; spiritual intuitions, pure and perfect; the inspiration of goodness, purity, and immortality, counteracting all evil, sensuality, and mortality."

In the Bible we have many instances of angels appearing in moments of great need and imparting the inspiration which enabled men to gain the victory over their fears. Such an angel came to Jacob when he was on his way to meet his brother Esau. Mrs. Eddy's definition of "Jacob" reads, in part (ibid., p. 589): "Inspiration; the revelation of Science, in which the so-called material senses yield to the spiritual sense of Life and Love." In the book of Genesis we read that an angel appeared to Jacob and bade him return unto the land of his kindred. So, in obedience to the word of God, Jacob went on his way; and when a sense of discouragement assailed him, and apprehension as to the outcome of his mission he turned in prayer to God. Later, as he struggled to gain a better understanding of Spirit and spiritual power, we read that "there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day," that is, until the true sense of the power and strength of Spirit had been revealed to him. Then the heavenly visitant said, "Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed." He was no longer to be called Jacob, the deceiver and struggler, but Israel, the victor; and he went forward to greet his brother Esau in peace and love.

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