Article September 5, 1942 Issue

"God anoints and appoints"

[Written Especially for Young People]

TERESE ROSE NAGEL

As election time draws near, one is called upon to select candidates for office in college, club, church, community, or nation, and is often puzzled as to how to make the proper choice. Recommendations and suggestions come from many sources, and to hearken to these is not always feasible or advisable. It is for the earnest student of Christian Science to put into practice his understanding of God as Mind, infinite divine intelligence. He realizes that because man, God's image and likeness, reflects this intelligence, he is subject to divine influence alone. He knows that God's direction is complete and infallible, and Mind's government safe, secure, and sure. Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, states in "Retrospection and Introspection" (pp. 90, 91): "It is safe to leave with God the government of man. He appoints and He anoints His Truth-bearers, and God is their sure defense and refuge." In God's plan there is no frustration, misappointment, or disappointment.

God created His universe perfect and controls all His ideas. Deity was pleased with His work; therefore man, His image and likeness, is satisfied with the Father's perfect plan. Each idea of God dwells in the infinite harmony of Mind and cannot infringe on another's progress or displace another from his God-given task. There is no overlapping of activity or limitation of good or of proper recognition, for justice, righteousness, and order prevail in the universe under the perfect control of divine Mind. The Christ-elements which are needed for God's work include those of love, joy, gratitude, with humility and meekness as other prime factors. Mrs. Eddy states in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 130), "Love is not puffed up; and the meek and loving, God anoints and appoints to lead the line of mankind's triumphal march out of the wilderness, out of darkness into light."

We read in the Bible of the prophet Samuel, who was prepared by his mother Hannah from early childhood for the service in the house of God. When he was but a babe, she gave him over to divine Love's care, to work in the Father's vineyard. She said, "Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord." Samuel grew and prospered in the understanding of God's law. His growth was spiritually progressive and came about in as normal and natural a way as the opening of a beautiful flower from bud to blossom. The quality of obedience he expressed is witnessed in his response when God called him, "Speak; for thy servant heareth." We read also that "Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord."

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