Scientific Activity

[Written Especially for Young People]

LOUISE DAY PUTNAM LEE

It is the natural desire of everyone to want to do his best—whether it be in work or play. This is one of the things that make sports enjoyable, and one reason for considering them valuable.

A mother was once watching her daughter play in the finals of a tennis tournament. It was a close match and both sides were putting up a splendid game, but it began to look as though the daughter and her partner were weakening. Between sets, as they were changing sides, the girl ran to her mother and asked her to give her some help in Science. Now, the mother had always taught her children that there was no problem, be it ever so small, that could not immediately be taken to God, Mind; and so in response to this call, she set herself to think correctly about the situation.

In Science and Health (p. 128) Mrs. Eddy has said, "The term Science, properly understood, refers only to the laws of God and to His government of the universe,inclusive of man." Then she goes on to explain that Christian Science gives men "an ability to exceed their ordinary capacity," and adds, "The human mind, imbued with this spiritual understanding, becomes more elastic, is capable of greater endurance, escapes somewhat from itself, and requires less repose."

It is sometimes said that one plays a "scientific game," meaning an exact game, one that conforms to certain rules. According to Mrs. Eddy's statement quoted above, a truly scientific game would be one in which the laws of God and His government of man were being demonstrated or proved. All right activities must be expressions of joy and freedom. On page 514 of Science and Health we read: "Mind, joyous in strength, dwells in the realm of Mind. Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves." In all the activities of Mind, there can be nothing but joy and strength and wisdom and understanding. All true thinking, being governed by Mind, must be expressed in perfect action and exactness. In the realm of divine Mind there can be no wrong judgments, no mistakes, no interference, no friction, no inaction, no overaction, and no fear, since divine Love animates all the actions of man.

The mother saw that not only was this scientifically true about her daughter and the partner, but equally so about all God's children. She had to be sure, too, that she was not selfishly desiring her child to win; for Christian Science, being based on Love, which is unselfish and impartial, must and does bless all.

The moment that this child turned her thought and her dependence to the Principle of all true activity, she gave up her faith in her own physical prowess, and, opening her thought to the truth, permitted divine law to govern her; and it was not long before fear and anxiety were displaced, and this improved thinking was expressed in her playing.

Mrs. Eddy speaks of desire as prayer, and the Bible gives assurance that right desire brings results, and that as we associate our right desires with God, Mind, we ally ourselves with divine power. In the thirty-seventh Psalm we read, "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

The winning of the tournament was overshadowed by the victory over fear, confusion, and other errors. Indeed, the best part of the experience was the fact that something had been learned and proved of the scientific operation of divine law in a receptive human consciousness.

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