The term "angel ideas" beautifully expresses the divinity, the holiness, the spirituality, of God's thoughts as revealed to His children. It indicates the protection, the guidance, and the blessings which God, all-loving Principle, provides for man and the universe. In the Bible and in the writings of Mary Baker Eddy angels, spiritually interpreted, are found to be synonymous with God's messages. His thoughts or ideas, which come to the sincere seeker, bringing him healing of mind and body and solving any problem which may be confronting him.

In her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy explains her understanding of angels under the marginal heading "Thought-angels" (pp. 298, 299). And speaking of the struggle to apprehend immortal truth, she writes (ibid., p. 548), "This is the new birth going on hourly, by which men may entertain angels, the true ideas of God, the spiritual sense of being."

In the study of Christian Science it is significant to note how often Scriptural healings were brought about by a simple declaration of truth or a few authoritative words of command. When viewed in the light of Mrs. Eddy's discovery, these words are found to be the audible attestation of a divine idea, the coming into expression of what is here termed an angel idea.

Many rich examples of the coming of angel ideas, or spiritual intuitions, to Bible characters may be recalled. There is the instance of the Shunammite woman who was confronted by evidence of the death of her son. When asked by the prophet's servant Gehazi (II Kings 4:26), "Is it well with the child?" she quickly and with understanding fortitude replied, "It is well." Small wonder that the prophet was able to restore the boy to life and to the arms of the faithful, never-doubting mother.

Numerous instantaneous healings by Jesus are also pertinent illustrations. Noteworthy is the example of a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. The father urged Jesus to come at once to heal his son. With comforting and reassuring words Jesus replied (John 4:50), "Go thy way; thy son liveth." It is not surprising that as the nobleman was returning to his home his servants met him and told him in Jesus' own words, "Thy son liveth," and also said that the fever had left the boy in the very hour the Master had spoken the healing words. Here again is a fruitful example and proof of the spiritual power of a simple, direct affirmation of truth. No use of idle, repetitious words or formulas, no wavering uncertainty or doubt—just a few words of authority, an angel idea with power to heal instantly.

Declarations of truth always are endowed with Christ's healing power when they are based on the scientific understanding and realization of the ideas they convey. Such were the simple affirmations both of the Master and of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Consequently such affirmations resulted in immediate, permanent healings.

In "A Child's Life of Mary Baker Eddy" by Ella H. Hay there is an impressive, inspiring account of how Mrs. Eddy cured a little boy who had been classed not only as seriously ill, but as "self-willed" and "bad-tempered." Mrs. Eddy's simple declaration, "You are not sick, and you are a good boy," brought immediate results. The mother reported afterward that her son had been healed of brain fever and that his disposition had been greatly improved.

Naturally Christian Scientists in their daily living are mindful of the privilege and duty to follow in the footsteps of both Jesus and Mrs. Eddy. They strive to emulate the examples of these two great teachers and spiritual healers, recalling the promise of the Master that the works which he did should be done by his followers also and that in time to come even greater works should be done by them.

Mrs. Eddy sets forth in Science and Health the authority and procedure for whatever is needed in all cases presented for healing. The book abounds with instructive statements regarding the handling and destroying of error with Truth. Accordingly the student of Christian Science, when treating himself or others, is taught vigorously to deny error and persistently to affirm the truth. He is admonished to continue this procedure and hold to the truth of being until he clearly realizes the spiritual fact to the exclusion of the erroneous condition which has presented itself to him for correction. This is termed treatment by argument.

However, the possibility of instantaneous healing is always at hand. Witness Mrs. Eddy's own words from the textbook (pp. 178, 179), "Whoever reaches the understanding of Christian Science in its proper signification will perform the sudden cures of which it is capable; but this can be done only by taking up the cross and following Christ in the daily life."

Here are two present-day experiences and proofs of the healing and protecting power of an angel idea. A little boy who was seriously ill and had a high fever did not respond immediately to treatment in Christian Science. After several hours of consecrated work the practitioner in attendance fervently prayed for a new idea, an angel idea. Immediately he was led to ask the lad to affirm aloud. "Thank You, God; I am all right." thus expressing his gratitude to God and the spiritual fact that in Truth he was already perfect, whole, and free. Indeed, this was the unchangeable fact, which all those close to the situation needed to insist upon. Faintly at first the little chap replied, "Thank You, God; I'm all right." The request was repeated. Just a hit stronger and with childlike acceptance the youngster reaffirmed the angel idea, "Thank You, God; I in all right."

It was a joyful experience and one long to he remembered as the lad, encouraged by those close to him, obediently and confidently continued to repeat the truth. Soon their fear was quieted, the mesmerism destroyed, and the boy was sound asleep. The fever quickly disappeared, and the healing was complete.

A young man who had been raised in Christian Science and who served his country as a bombardier in the Second World War, wrote to a friend telling of the remarkable and complete protection he experienced while flying thirty-two missions. He told particularly of his second mission to the heart of the enemy's country. To quote his own words: "The flak was very heavy, and we lost an engine over the city and found seventy holes in the airplane, many of them below my position in the nose, when we finally got back to our base. The navigator thought that I was singing up in the plexiglass, but I was working with my old friend the ninety-first Psalm. The angelic message which formed the full and final protection from harm was the knowledge that God is the only Life. That fact was at times so clear that it overwhelmed any sense of fear. It seemed to stand out by itself as a truth untainted by concern for the body, the airplane, or my own future. I here were no 'buts' in the area, not five miles below me, off either wing, or in the clear blue above me. The message presented itself as a fact; and that was all."

It should be noted and stressed that the use of formulas has no place in Christian Science. Mere statements or repetitions of word combinations have no intrinsic power and are apt to become a form of self-hypnosis. On the other hand, spiritual ideas, when used with understanding and conviction, always bring renewed assurance, regeneration, and healing. The demonstrations of Christian Science related here illustrate the spiritual power of a fervent acknowledgment and realization of Immanuel, of the ever-present reality of Principle and idea, of perfect God and perfect man, of man's unity with his Father-Mother Love.

If in our own experience there ever seems to be a delayed healing or an error that does not yield as quickly as it should, let us pray earnestly for the unfoldment of a new right idea, an angel idea, that will meet the situation here and now. Inspiring new ideas will constantly appear in answer to childlike prayer. These ideas are infinite in number and variety, ever at hand, and all-potent.

The following stanza from a hymn echoes and confirms the theme of this article (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 9):