Clear and practical understanding of Christian Science is uplifting. It comes through inspiration as one studies and applies the spiritual truth set forth in the Bible and explained in Science and Health and other writings by Mrs. Eddy. It develops the enlightened mental acumen that perceives and joyfully accepts this truth, recognizing that it is God-inspired. If healing is needed, it comes with the acceptance of that inspiration and its healing power.

The study and practice of Christian Science awakens and nourishes spiritual sense, of which Mrs. Eddy says: "Spiritual sense is a conscious, constant capacity to understand God. It shows the superiority of faith by works over faith in words."¹

The recognition of spiritual, God-inspired ideas is normal and natural to spiritual understanding. When we have the satisfaction of meeting the challenge of an adverse circumstance or condition by constructive thought, we can see that this is the result of exercising our spiritual sense. "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true," Mrs. Eddy says, "and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts."²

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul gives similar advice: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true ... honest ... just ... pure ... lovely ... of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."³ The recognition and acceptance of such spiritual values express the grace of gratitude. Gratitude to God was characteristic of Christ Jesus, and words of thanks and blessing were often on his lips.

I have had occasion to prove the healing power of gratitude and inspiration. For some time I had recurring backaches for which I could see no cause except, possibly, the belief of advancing age. I rejected this belief by affirming that man is spiritual, ageless, created and governed by God, therefore whole and harmonious. This was sufficient to stop the pain whenever it recurred, but permanent healing did not result.

Then I visited again a beautiful, sparsely settled island off the coast of Maine. On this occasion I gave no specific thought to the backache, except to wonder if it would recur if I took a dip in the ocean. I enjoyed the surroundings, observing and admiring the beauty of what I saw, and exchanging any passing criticism for some constructive thinking.

For example, instead of a turbulent ocean pounding the rocky coast, making it almost inaccessible by sea, I saw the marvelous beauty of the spray breaking along the fantastic shoreline. I saw evidence in the rocky, meager soil of life's constant renewal, for young and vigorous spruces were growing beside those felled by storms, and there was an abundance of fresh moss, ferns, and wild flowers, and a varied display of birdlife.

A philanthropist had given the means to provide the island with protection against depredations of careless tourists. I saw in this the reflection of divine Love in intelligence and kindness and brotherly love. There was also evidence of sincere religious faith among the few resident lobstermen and their families. A small church, reached at evening service by residents each carrying his lantern, was well filled, and prayers were offered for God's protection of all seafaring men.

These observations were linked to the clear sense that they were showing me that the expressions of divine Love can appear to men, unobstructed and unobscured by mortal beliefs and activities. This brought the conviction that the same divine Love that created the beauty appearing in this island created man also, the perfect idea of perfect creative Mind.

The joyous exhilaration I felt on perceiving and realizing the truth of this thought led to my acceptance of it as healing inspiration. The backache that had been troubling me was corrected then and there. It never recurred. I also enjoyed a good dip in the ocean!

As an engineer, dealing with the application of natural laws to physical devices, I saw further meaning in this experience. The healing clarified for me the effectiveness of inspiration in solving physical and mathematical problems.

Contemporary science is based on logical laws dependent on mathematical order. In many problems the available information and the understanding of these laws and their mathematical relation do not appear adequate. Then the "hunch"—the intuition—giving a solution to the problem, carries with it the sense of joy and sure conviction of being right. When tried, it is generally found correct.

Mrs. Eddy writes, "Immortal Mind, governing all, must be acknowledged as supreme in the physical realm, so-called, as well as in the spiritual."⁴