Article November 15, 1952 Issue

MAINTAINING OUR POISE AND PEACE

WILLIAM C. KLINE

Even though at times the Apostle Paul found the way of human experience particularly rugged, he nonetheless maintained his poise unshaken. Once, when speaking of the bonds and afflictions which awaited him in Jerusalem, he calmly told the elders of Ephesus (Acts 20:24), "None of these things move me." That he could logically make such a bold statement in the face of threatened persecution was subsequently substantiated. When under investigation by the Roman authorities, he astonished the chief captain by this affirmation (Acts 22:28): "I was free born." It was, however, his understanding of his spiritual status as a son of God that afforded Paul a sense of security, whatsoever might assail.

In our day much is being said about the troubled situation in the world. Are we to accept the evidences of the material senses as real or take the side of absolute truth? With the understanding afforded through the study of Christian Science we are to demonstrate dominion over the physical senses. This understanding lifts us out of danger and keeps us out of it. In a situation such as now confronts us Christian Science alone brings confidence and hope. It affords protection to all in the measure that they understand it. The student of this Science can, in the face of this world-wide confusion, maintain his poise and peace because he knows that nothing untoward has happened to God. Omnipotence has not suddenly become impotent. Infinity has not become less than all. "Behold," writes Isaiah (59:1), "the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save."

The alert student of Christian Science will not stand idly by or ignore the evidence of the material senses. He has learned the nature of evil and how it operates to deceive and confuse. In her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes (p. 563): "We may well be perplexed at human fear; and still more astounded at hatred, which lifts its hydra head, showing its horns in the many inventions of evil. But why should we stand aghast at nothingness?"

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