Principle the True Guide

ESTELLE T. M. CRANE

An article which appeared in the Sentinel some time ago, on the overcoming of fear in operating an automobile, appealed especially to two students of Christian Science. It awakened them to a higher recognition of man's freedom and dominion in the truth, and when the time came for them to have a machine of their own they were able to take a couple of lessons in driving it and to start on a long trip homeward without any sense of fear. Desiring to be guided by Principle in this new experience, and realizing that in order to do so they must be steadfastly conscious that Mind, infinite intelligence, created man in His own image and likeness, and that man reflects and is directed by this one intelligence, they knew that their every thought must be one of good. It was seen that any discordant happening could only result from error of thought, from neglecting to watch that their thoughts should express the ever active intelligence of divine Principle, Love.

The one difficulty encountered on that trip, like each one experienced since then, in the thousands of miles covered in traveling through fifteen different states, was the result of following human will instead of divine Mind. Though almost nothing was known of mechanics, this first problem was solved when the sense of impatience accompanying it was replaced by a sudden realization of Love's tenderness, as, after the opening words of our Leader's hymn, "Shepherd, show me how to go," the words of the twenty-third psalm flashed into the thought of one of these students, and the intelligence required was immediately manifested through the right action of the other one.

On a later trip, during a flood season in the South, this same failure to listen to divine guidance brought a severe lesson, for the car, including business satchels and money, as well as personal luggage, had to be abandoned in the middle of a rising river. After the first thoughts of fear and reproach had been quieted and the sense of Love's omnipotence was again bringing a comforting message, the work which meant the overcoming of all the obstacles connected with this apparently serious problem was begun. Through knowing, as taught in Christian Science, that God's ideas cannot lose anything which rightfully belongs to them, for they are held safely in His eternal possession as the manifestation of Mind, and since the car and its contents had a place in this manifestation, being seemingly necessary to the convenience of these travelers, the fear of loss was overcome and a feeling of peace took its place.

After climbing a muddy hill in the rain, these students found that two men engaged in working on a house near the road, the only house within several miles, had heard the machine go by and were on their way to warn the passengers. Through the students' realization that Love's children reflect only love, that each one is in reality a channel for love and is glad to help his brother, these men became the friends to help their fellow men in their need. For several hours much mental work had to be done to realize that "God is our refuge and strength," and that man reflects the strength of God, of Life; that his health is in Mind and cannot be disturbed by seeming material conditions.

Finally the car was out of the water, and with more faith in good than in evil these students were able to start the engine, despite all material laws in regard to it, and to take the eighteen mile ride to the nearest town with a deep feeling of gratitude and humility. One held the wheel, the other did the mental work, and it was a safe and triumphant trip, a surprise to all except these two, who learned from it a higher lesson in their journey in truth. Before retiring that night one of them opened the Bible and Science and Health and received this message from page 319 of the textbook, "Having faith in the divine Principle of health and spiritually understanding God, sustains man under all circumstances," and reading it aloud, went to rest in perfect security. The morning brought only exaltation, for both felt an even higher sense of freedom and joy, and the seeming hardships of the previous day's experience were "as a thing of nought."

On a more recent trip material beliefs were again overcome through lifting thought to the omnipotence of Truth. Although unable to have needed repairs made to the motor, and in spite of all dubious prophecies in regard to the trip, these Scientists started for a town which it was necessary to reach that might. While traveling over the first few miles the week's Lesson-Sermon was read aloud, and as the one who was driving listened to those words from the Bible: "Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low," she knew that she had received her answer to the day's problem. Determining to keep in thought the truth that man lives and moves in Mind, and so reflects intelligent and unceasing activity; that Mind is Love which makes the way perfect, she was guided to do the right thing as each valley was traversed, and each mountain was ascended and descended in perfect harmony. The desired destination was reached in good time, and that day's journey proved one of the best, for it also carried these students farther along the great highway where Principle is acknowledged as the only power, the only guide, and the only intelligence.

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