Article February 3, 1945 Issue

"An understanding heart"

MIRIAM D. GARBRICK

At the beginning of Solomon's reign the Lord appeared unto him in Gibeon and said (I Kings 3:5), "Ask what I shall give thee." Solomon's answer (verse 9), "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people," showed his recognition of the ability he would need to be a wise and just king. And, according to the Scriptures, never was there so wise a king as Solomon.

His humble prayer, "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart," takes on new meaning in the light of Christian Science, as do all things; even one's highest concept of human good is replaced with spiritual ideas. In Christian Science—the revelation of divine reality—we know not only that it is possible to discern true selfhood here and now, but that only "an understanding heart" can view man intact in his perfect state and see matter and mortal mind as false representatives of man and in reality nonexistent. "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all," is one of the ways in which Mary Baker Eddy states the scientific truth of the divine allness on page 468 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."

Man, the reflection of infinite Mind, expresses only the qualities of good. This reflection of perfect Mind is true selfhood. There is no discord, disease, sin, or death in perfect Mind. Therefore man cannot express discord, disease, sin, or death, for man's purity cannot be contaminated, his perfection impeached, or his harmony invaded. Man never has been, is not now, and never can be separated from God and true selfhood. The "understanding heart" never accepts what the eyes see, but always what the "understanding heart" knows.

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