Imbibing the Spirit

Ella W. Hoag

To the so-called carnal mind, which views everything from the standpoint of matter, the imbibing of the spirit is something which does not lend itself easily to explanation. Jesus said, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Religionists have always proclaimed the desirability of Christians possessing the spirit; and while they have vigorously advocated the seeking of it and have even declared what the spirit is, they have not seemed to understand how to tell those desiring it the way in which to imbibe it. Even though the dictionary defines "to imbibe" as "to absorb into the mind; to drink in; to assimilate," so mysterious was Spirit to most thinkers that few even glimpsed its nature sufficiently to know what it was they were thus to accept, or how they were to become at-one with it.

Spirit indeed has seemed so intangible to the material senses that the understanding of it has been largely relegated to a future heaven. Christian Science, however, in its revelation of what Spirit is, immediately solves the problem of the way to imbibe or assimilate it. Christian Science accepts without any reservation the definite teaching of Jesus that God is Spirit; and it also declares that God and Spirit are therefore synonymous terms. From this we see that all that God is, Spirit must be. Then to have Godlike qualities must be to express Spirit, or to be spiritual. From this it follows that to imbibe the spirit must mean to drink in and assimilate all that is in nature spiritual; namely, to express the qualities of Spirit. As we, therefore, contemplate these qualities, as we love them, use them, we inevitably find ourselves at-one with them, expressing them.

Since the nature of Spirit must include such qualities as gentleness, tenderness, loving-kindness, grace, goodness, strength, power, wisdom, and so on, to hold these qualities in consciousness, that is, to think them, reflect them, must be to be like Spirit. To allow any spiritual quality to unfold itself in one's thinking is to begin consciously to be at-one with Spirit, is to imbibe it. On page 495 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy asks the question, "How can I progress most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science?" And then she answers it by saying: "Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit. Adhere to the divine Principle of Christian Science and follow the behests of God, abiding steadfastly in wisdom, Truth, and Love."

Now there is little doubt that Christian Scientists as a whole have studied, and are continuing to study, the letter of Christian Science with considerable faithfulness. Some students have devoted themselves so earnestly to this study that they are able to repeat large portions of the textbook. To be sure, such ability does not always imply an understanding of what they are able to quote; and one who has succeeded in learning so much would need to watch lest it become "the letter" which "killeth," rather than "the spirit" which "giveth life." Great familiarity with the Christian Science textbook is unquestionably a very desirable thing; and each Christian Scientist has a right to accomplish this in the manner he feels he is divinely led to do. But in winning this familiarity, all must be on guard that they become, not merely letterly informed, but that they also find the way continually opened for the imbibing of the spirit.

In other words, they are to study the letter in order that they may learn to know divine Principle and be able to adhere to it. As they adhere to it, they will necessarily understand the behests of God, and therefore can obey them. As they do this, they will find it possible to abide "steadfastly in wisdom, Truth, and Love." In Science and Health (p. 418) our beloved Leader tells us, "By the truthful arguments you employ, and especially by the spirit of Truth and Love which you entertain, you will heal the sick." This is the goal every Christian Scientist is striving to reach. This is why he desires to "imbibe the spirit," that he shall understand its transcendent power so fully that evil shall flee instantaneously before "the spirit of Truth and Love" he entertains. This will not seem difficult of attainment as he understands more and more clearly that he is imbibing the spirit whenever he loves, accepts, and reflects any spiritual quality.

Ella W. Hoag.

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