Article August 23, 1941 Issue

Radical Reliance

[Written Especially for Young People]

MARJORIE ROBB

On page 494 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy writes, "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." This is one of the most comforting statements to be found in the writings of our beloved Leader. It assures the sincere seeker after Truth that there is a solution to every problem, a cure for every ill, solace for all sorrow, and supply in the place of seeming lack. As the student comes to rely more and more upon God as Love, Mind, or Principle, he will indeed find that "to those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings" (ibid., Pref., p. vii). It is necessary to place radical reliance on God rather than on human relationship, intelligence, or personality, if one would bring about a solution to any and all difficulties.

The young student of Christian Science, like other young people, hears much about the measuring of one's intelligence; that is, the placing of a finite value upon something which is in reality infinite. By the time he nears the completion of his college courses he may think that as a human person he possesses a rather large quantity of intelligence, unless he holds clearly and firmly to the thought that there is one infinite Mind, and that man reflects this Mind. If the young student continues to ponder this fact and comes to realize its significance, he will find that his achievements surpass those which would have been possible for him had he been content to apply only a material or human measurement to his capability.

One young student had this brought home to her rather sharply on a certain occasion. She was taking a course which the instructor had called the most difficult in the university which she attended. When the time for a scheduled examination arrived, circumstances made it impossible for her to do any studying whatsoever. As she debated with herself as to whether or not she would attempt the test, the thought came, "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:6). She then realized that she was not entirely unfamiliar with the subject, because the lessons had been faithfully prepared for each class. She took the examination, holding fast to the words in Isaiah, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." Several times during the test she stopped to declare the truth that man reflects divine intelligence. When the papers were returned, she found she had made a fine grade—better than on previous occasions in the course when it had been possible for her to do more studying. As she contemplated this proof of the effectiveness of Christian Science, she thought of the Psalmist's words: "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

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