Editorial February 8, 1941 Issue

Concerning Inspiration

Alfred Pittman

Inspiration is clearly defined in Christian Science, and shown to be something better than mankind in general have thought of it as being. It is not merely a quickening of human thought, although that appears to be its effect. True inspiration is the direct appearing of divine intelligence and power, of the nature of God, who is infinite Mind; and for this reason, as it is demonstrated in Christian Science, it accomplishes not only what ordinarily has been expected of inspiration, but much more. It heals the sick, overcomes poverty and discord, and lightens every dark area in human consciousness and experience.

Its character and effect are beautifully indicated by Isaiah in these words: "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert."

The student of Christian Science not only learns that inspiration is a better thing than he had supposed, but finds, as he goes forward in his study, that his own position in regard to it is much improved. He finds in any case that it is as much for him as anyone, because God, infinite Mind, "is no respecter of persons;" and this fact is likely to be illustrated to him, early in his study and progressively, by the discovery in himself of capabilities of which he had not been aware. Then, if at any time he finds himself lacking in inspiration, having less of it than he seems to need, he is not dismayed. He knows that all the power there really is, is on the side of its appearing for him; and indeed he soon finds that any apparent lack of it may be succeeded very quickly by the clearest sense of inspiration he has ever known. That, of course, is what occurred for Christ Jesus when, within less than two days after his dark hour on the cross, he had such a realization of oneness with infinite Mind as to have overcome death for himself and struck a light, so to speak, for all the succeeding generations of mankind.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

The Resources of Soul