ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Richard J. Davis

Just as the Bible illumined the consciousness of Mary Baker Eddy and confirmed her revelation of the Christ, Truth, so every student of Christian Science is finding in the Scriptures inspiration and specific guidance that become the basis of healing and demonstration.

In his epistle to the Hebrews (11:6) Paul puts before them a requirement that is as important today as when he uttered it: "He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." In other words, one of the essential demands in demonstrating the truth is an acknowledgment that God is, that Love is.

This acknowledgment or recognition is necessary if the student or one who is seeking healing in Christian Science is going to take another important step—deny reality to the belief of disease or other inharmony that mortal mind is endeavoring to impose upon him. Obviously, one cannot intelligently deny evil's reality if he is unwilling to admit and affirm the oneness and allness of good. Referring to this, Mary Baker Eddy writes in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 400), "Mortals obtain the harmony of health, only as they forsake discord, acknowledge the supremacy of divine Mind, and abandon their material beliefs." And she adds. "By lifting thought above error, or disease, and contending persistently for truth, you destroy error."

In every case, a Christian Science practitioner is establishing as a basis of thought the allness of God, good, and the nothingness of evil. To him, the so-called claim of mortal mind is only a mesmeric lie. He knows that because the consciousness of Truth is one and infinite, it must be the consciousness of the one who is asking for help; and the understanding of this spiritual fact acts as a law of healing. Recognition of God's omnipotence and omnipresence is much more than a hope that the power and presence of God will be evidenced. Spirit, God, must be admitted, affirmed, and maintained as the only reality. It is clear that spiritual affirmation of the reality of being on the part of anyone seeking healing is bound to turn thought away from the contemplation of symptoms and sense testimony.

There are other points that one may well consider helpful in healing. One should be grateful for every spiritual concept that has led him to a clearer understanding of God and of man's relationship to Him. It is well to recall with gratitude benefits already received. They give assurance of blessings to follow. Gratitude is really a recognition that God is, and that He is always active as the only law and presence. Gratitude opens the door to Love's unfoldment and the demonstration of Soul's immeasurable beatitudes.

Throughout the Scriptures we are urged and admonished to bless the name of God, to sing His praises, to exalt His power, and most of all to rejoice—to joy in the knowledge of good. No so-called problem should ever take away the joy of our spiritual realization and our true appreciation of being. We joy in the Lord because of the opportunity it presents to demonstrate the truth. The Psalmist sang (Ps. 97:12), "Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness." So it appears that we should give thanks as we recall the wholeness and oneness of Being.

For progress, is it not natural that there should be a recognition and acknowledgment of blessings already received? On page 372 of the textbook our Leader writes: "'Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.' In Christian Science, a denial of Truth is fatal, while a just acknowledgment of Truth and of what it has done for us is an effectual help. If pride, superstition, or any error prevents the honest recognition of benefits received, this will be a hindrance to the recovery of the sick and the success of the student."

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths," writes the author of Proverbs (3: 6). Spirit, God, must be acknowledged and recognized as All-in-all if we would have the evidence of divine direction. Before the walls of Jericho, Joshua not only acknowledged the omnipotence and omnipresence of God, but demanded and received the evidence. And so today, as one of the important religious tenets of Christian Science, our textbook states (p. 497): "We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God's image and likeness."

Richard J. Davis

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SOME ASPECTS OF LIFE, TRUTH, AND LOVE

March 22, 1952

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