With examinations staring him in the face, a college or high school student—even though he has worked hard at his studies—may feel the need for a greater resource than limited human intelligence.

Where can he turn for help?

He can turn to the Bible and read Paul's words, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." ^{Phil. 4:13;} Christian Science will help him to see that Christ represents man's real spiritual selfhood expressing the unlimited intelligence of God, infinite divine Mind.

Then, as a student identifies himself with the Christ-idea, he sees himself as a son of God, unlimited in his expression of the divine capacities. Speaking of man's scientific sonship with God, Christ Jesus said, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." ^{John 8:36;}

Jesus was the most able man that ever lived. He mastered all forms of limitation, showing the possibilities in store for those who yield to divine control and acknowledge God, the one Mind, to be the guiding Principle of their lives. The qualities of love, wisdom, integrity, and purity that were so conspicuous in the character of Jesus are really part of the true selfhood of all men. As each individual consciously and persistently expresses them in daily life, he identifies himself in quality with Mind and its capacities. He broadens his abilities by reflecting the goodness of God.

Speaking from actual experience, Mrs. Eddy writes: "A knowledge of the Science of being develops the latent abilities and possibilities of man. It extends the atmosphere of thought, giving mortals access to broader and higher realms. It raises the thinker into his native air of insight and perspicacity." ^{Science and Health, p. 128;}

Of course, it should be clearly understood that divine aid cannot be called upon as a substitute for honest work and thorough preparation. Laziness hides the power and presence of divine Principle because it is a phase of unprincipled thinking and acting. But the student who fully does his part can reach out in calm confidence to the all-knowing Mind and receive the help he needs. The Bible promises, "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." ^{Isa. 32:17;}

Christian Science shows us that human limitations spring from a faulty sense of what mind is—that man's intelligence is a personal possession resident in matter. But no lurking sense of inadequacy can handicap us if we persistently oppose this false view of mind and claim our unity with God, who is the real Mind or Ego of all men everywhere. We can know that all intelligence—every idea and every attribute that exists in the infinite wholeness of God's being—is ours by reflection.

In the following citation Mrs. Eddy states the absolute facts in understandable, usable terms—facts that can be prayerfully claimed for himself by any student right in the midst of an examination. She writes: "All consciousness is Mind, and Mind is God. Hence there is but one Mind; and that one is the infinite good, supplying all Mind by the reflection, not the subdivision, of God. Whatever else claims to be mind, or consciousness, is untrue." ^{Retrospection and Introspection, p. 56;} Then further on in the same chapter she adds: "The notion of more than one Mind, or Life, is as unsatisfying as it is unscientific. All must be of God, and not our own, separated from Him." ^{p. 57;}

Anyone who has been classified by a so-called low intelligence quotient, or who because of past failures has formed a low opinion of his own abilities, can reject these false claims. Through awakened spiritual perception he can recognize and prove his present unity with limitless Mind, the one real knower and doer.

Jesus never allowed personal sense, or a material view of selfhood separate from God, to cloud his vision of real manhood, the Christ. He kept his thought humble, childlike, quiet, and thus was able to hear God's voice—to receive the intelligent ideas ever flowing from divine Mind. He said, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." ^{John 5:30;}

So if we sit with an examination paper before us, and find that we are running into difficulties, what do we need to do?

Above all things we need to get still and listen in humility and with expectancy for God's thoughts. "All consciousness is Mind, and Mind is God," so at this very moment our real individual consciousness is one in substance with the divine. By reflection we include in thought every right idea that exists. We have been given dominion by our heavenly Father, so we can claim our birthright and prove it here and now.

The words of the second Epistle to Timothy are apropos: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." ^{II Tim. 1:7.}

Alan A. Aylwin