Spirit's Silent Activities

LUCY HAYS REYNOLDS

Amid the mountain heights stillness reigns supreme. With the coming of the evening hour the calm of Spirit seems to brood over all. An occasional call of a bird, the babble of running water, or the low rustle of leaves are the only sounds that are heard. Yet everywhere there is activity, from the mountain brook at one's feet to the great celestial bodies above that move through space at an almost incalculable speed. In the harmony of this silent action earth's turbulent noises are forgotten, and intuitively thought turns Godward. Pondering these beauties of nature and their silent activities, we discern through them, even if but dimly, the true universe, the activities of Mind.

"Mind revolves on a spiritual axis," Mrs. Eddy writes, "and its power is displayed and its presence felt in eternal stillness and immovable Love" (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 88). In the hush of divine might creation was brought forth; in the silence of Soul the rotations and revolutions of the universe operate with unlabored energy. No harsh noises, no friction, no explosive activities of mortal law pertain to the operations of Spirit.

As spiritual thought-forces are perceived and understood they become operative in human consciousness, unfolding through reason and revelation the eternal verities of being. Silently they correct false beliefs with spiritual facts, and cause human concepts to give place to divine ideas. As this spiritual activity goes on in human thought, lives are quietly transformed and the sick are healed. Thus spiritual being is never characterized by inertia or stagnation, but rather by that divine energy which authoritatively commands the false belief of inaction to stretch forth the withered hand that it may be made whole. Its power is displayed in the calming of the storm and in the walking on the waves. Through its operation material activity gives way to spiritual activity, even as in the lonely tomb, where false belief reported the torpor of death, there was going on the great work of our Master as he "set the seal of eternity on time" (Science and Health, p. 44).

Let him, then, who affirms that the Christian Scientist, because he sits in silence and administers no material remedies, does nothing for his patient, investigate the results of scientific "silence," and if honest with himself he too will come to behold its majesty and power. "This sounds very well," some one may say, "but how can mortals gain this higher consciousness while in the midst of the strife and confusion, the storm and earthquake of human experience?"

Christian Science declares that spiritual overcoming and peace can be experienced only through the realization in consciousness of spiritual law, and that there is never a time when this law is inoperative. It should be as natural for the metaphysician to apply this law under all conditions as for the tradesman in the rush and confusion of business hours to utilize the rules of computation. Many a time the Christian Science practitioner is called upon to prove the power of unspoken spiritual thought when all around is uproar and confusion. Before this power error subsides, and again the sweet words, "Peace, be still," bring about a Christly calm. Silencing the material senses, the Scientist gains communion with Spirit and listens to the inaudible word of God.

As one enters into the silence of spiritual consciousness the nature is transformed; impulse, emotion, and other temperamental abnormalities are healed. In silent wrestling with himself the earnest Christian Scientist fights against principalities and powers until, conquering, he gains a dominion which the world can neither give nor take. His words may be few, but they are wise and effective in contrast with the babble of idle and superficial chatter. "A silent, grand man or woman, healing sickness and destroying sin," Mrs. Eddy says, "builds that which reaches heaven" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 194). Silence may indeed become golden, its blessings priceless. Within its sacred precincts wisdom, peace, and power are found, depth of purpose and stern resolutions are sustained, and true friendship is established and sanctified.

Christian Science has reduced spiritual experiences to human comprehension, and all who will may avail themselves of the silent power of Truth, until

Through the harsh noises of our day
A low sweet prelude finds its way

and the half hour's stillness that was once experienced in heaven is experienced on earth. Thus quickened and inspired through reason and revelation, glimpses of the real universe unfold, until "sun, moon, and stars forgot," we feel the presence of Mind, and experience "the solemn hush of being, newly born."

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