Right Thinking Essential

WILLIAM SCHWARTZ

On page vii of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy has written, "The time for thinkers has come." Christian Science is Science; and, therefore, in order to gain a firm and workable understanding of God, the divine Principle of Christian Science, we must think. It is not enough just to go over the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly daily, or to read something from the Bible or our Leader's works. That is all right; but it is a necessity that we ponder what we read, striving to understand.

One may ask, What shall I think about? The student of Christian Science never lacks subjects for constructive thinking. Let him turn, for example, to the Scriptural accounts of what are termed miracles and strive to understand how they were accomplished; let him study the narratives of Joseph, Daniel, the three Hebrews, and others, and seek the same Truth that opened the eyes of these, God's witnesses, caused them to trust in Him, and enabled them to come through sore trials unscathed. It is through thinking we learn of Truth; and in our textbook we have the guide to right thinking.

On page 313 of Science and Health we read: "Jesus of Nazareth was the most scientific man that ever trod the globe. He plunged beneath the material surface of things, and found the spiritual cause." Could Jesus have done so without thinking? He was the Way-shower; and we must follow him. That Mrs. Eddy delved deeply into the Bible writings, pondered them, and strove to understand them, is evident. She too "plunged beneath the material surface of things," and what she beheld caused her to write as the first tenet of Christian Science (Science and Health, p. 497), "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life."

Let us then think, and in proportion to the depth of our thinking we shall gain a clearer understanding of this teaching. We shall become more stable, and be able in a greater degree to work out our own problems and also to help others in working out theirs. We shall begin to know what God is, and accordingly shall not be afraid to lean on Him. We shall begin to know, instead of blindly believe, that the universe is indeed upheld by the everlasting arms of Love, which guide and protect all, and that there is therefore no cause for worry or fear; that God knows only good; that health, harmony, perfection, is a law of God, and that this divine law cannot be changed or annulled. We shall begin to know what man is. Then it will no longer be possible for us to hold undesirable thoughts of another or to do anything but love our brother. If we are persistent in righteous thinking, in spiritual building, we shall attain that sense of peace, the peace that "passeth all understanding," of which Paul speaks. So let us think! If it should require an effort on our part, let us put forth this effort, and daily mental work will ease the way. The reward is very great, even though we do not fully grasp it at present. Let us also remember the promise that "all things work together for good to them that love God."

No doubt many of us during our study of Christian Science have had at some time or other clear views or visions of reality. Having attained the vision, we should strive to keep it with us. This can be done by constantly reverting in thought to Truth, which will not only keep our light burning, but will also cause the heavenly vision to become clearer and nearer. It is written of Daniel that he prayed three times a day. No possibility there for fading vision! On the other hand, when the forces of evil seemed to threaten him, Daniel's light was bright and clear; hence his constant trust, and the fact that his thought was open to receive the truth which closed the mouths of the lions.

We must always be mentally and willingly obedient to God, good; and we must control our thoughts before we can demonstrate this control outwardly. Thus we may consciously utilize the power of Spirit; we may thus realize that the realm of divine Mind, "the kingdom of heaven," is at hand; yes, we may feel its beautiful presence, and experience that sense of peace already referred to, which has as its accompaniment absolute fearlessness, perfect confidence in God, and sees Love's loveliness over all.

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