Article April 22, 1944 Issue

Poise

ELIZABETH H. PERKINS

Poise in bearing and demeanor is the outward sign of properly balanced thought. Spiritual poise is the result of maintaining thought at one with the divine Mind. This poise is never thrown out of balance by the arguments of error or mortal mind, nor does it fall from the standard of Spirit and sink beneath the waves of matter. Such a condition of thought can be continually maintained only as the result of understanding God and perceiving what is the divine model.

Unshaken calm and confidence are greatly needed today in the face of hatred, suspicion, and fear, of danger and alarm. Happy the man who can preserve an unruffled and balanced demeanor, no matter who or what may enter his presence. This poise will enable him to deal justly and firmly, although kindly and lovingly, with his fellow men. Mrs. Eddy writes in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 261), "Breaking away from the mutations of time and sense, you will neither lose the solid objects and ends of life nor your own identity." Christ Jesus in his daily life gave an outstanding example of poise, and Mary Baker Eddy in Christian Science has shown us how to follow his example.

Christ Jesus' calm courage and great confidence were evidenced when his fearful disciples awakened him in the midst of the storm. He did not become fearful too but, turning away from the evidence of the senses, was able to prove the omnipresence of the peace which God confers. On these and many other occasions Jesus proved his mastery over matter. He was able to do this because he was ever conscious of his oneness with God. His words, "I and my Father are one," indicate that at no time did he believe in an existence apart from God, good, and so he accepted no evil condition as real.

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