Article June 22, 1946 Issue

Knowing What to Do

WILLIAM M. SELLMAN

Abraham Lincoln believed in prayer. When he was President of the United States, the great Emancipator was often on his knees, silently seeking divine guidance. During the second year of the Civil War at about the time he issued the proclamation that would free all Negro slaves, Lincoln spoke of his "very responsible position," and declared, "Being a humble instrument in the hands of our heavenly Father, as I am, as we all are to work out His great purposes. I have desired that all my works and acts may be according to His will."

Divine guidance is for all. We should not wait for the urgency of crisis or high office before trusting implicitly in the unerring direction of the creative, governing Principle, the all-knowing Mind. Our task is to maintain with scientific certainty that man, as image or idea, reflects Mind's positive purpose and unerring intelligence. Then, if faced with a problem of indecision, unemployment, unhappiness, discord, or limitation of any kind, we shall be shown what steps to take toward its solution. We shall know what action will be wisest to meet the human need. This guidance will appear as we realize that our true selfhood is the spontaneous, active expression of the divine Mind.

Through much prayer and devout obedience to the divine will, Mary Baker Eddy was led to the discovery and establishment of Christian Science. In this Science we learn how to avail ourselves of divine guidance in all circumstances through understanding that man reflects God and His wisdom. Christ Jesus indicated this truth in his words (John 5: 19), "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." As we reflect God in such qualities of Mind as intelligence, love, truthfulness, persistence, patience, sincerity, and the like, we find wisdom's way which brings us into more freedom, greater progress, and satisfactory activity.

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