Rules from Another Standpoint

LEONARD WILLIAM STANLEY

The point system inaugurated by the Army for the discharge of men has become a general topic of conversation. One soldier has found that to keep his thought clear and above the argument that these points govern his whereabouts, he has simply to understand that man's place or well-being does not depend upon any mortal mind system or any human being, regardless of rank.

Although the Army has set up this long-thought-out plan to bring about intelligent release of men into civilian life, we as Christian Scientists know that, as our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says on page 195 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "The point for each one to decide is, whether it is mortal mind or immortal Mind that is causative." We know that it is God, divine Mind, Principle, that governs, guides, and directs man. As a spiritual idea, man is always in his rightful place in Mind.

If one is doing his mental work correctly and using in his daily experience the spiritual truths gained from his study of the Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly, he will be led to the activity which will best further his spiritual growth.

Mrs. Eddy's words in Science and Health (p. 574) have been proved true time and time again by those who have put their trust in God, divine Love: "The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares." For instance, one young man who had to leave his wife, a recently purchased new home, and a good job which promised further training in his line of skilled work at a modern plant, was tempted to believe he would be very unhappy in the Army. But Christian Science had taken care of him before. Help was now asked of a practitioner, and this young man also did his work. The Lesson was read daily from the Quarterly, in spite of the argument of no time, no place, or the wrong environment. He found that when he made an effort, the way always unfolded, for, as the Bible says (Matt. 6:8), "Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

After a few months of patient work and about four months' overseas duty he was transferred to the exact line of work he had followed in civilian life. In this he gained more experience than he ever dreamed possible.

When the question of adding up points to get out of the Army arose, he naturally turned to the Concordances to Mrs. Eddy's writings. Study of the word "points" interested and comforted him. Science takes the question out of mortal mind's hands and puts it into the hands of God, divine Principle, Love. He found that the Tenets of Christian Science, if adhered to, always cheered him, and uplifted his thought to see that when the right time came the way would unfold for his speedy release into civilian life again.

One should not spend all his time talking and thinking of a way out but, in the words of Mrs. Eddy (Science and Health, p. 241), "One's aim, a point beyond faith, should be to find the footsteps of Truth, the way to health and holiness."

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Rules from Another Standpoint

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