Angels

HUGH STUART CAMPBELL

Today , the conversation heard in the streets, when a few persons are gathered together, is usually a rehearsal of passing world events, including a discussion of the pros and cons in regard to the methods of handling national and international affairs. Economic problems, such as unemployment, the general sense of insecurity, disasters, and war, provide topics for conversation everywhere.

In the midst of personal opinions which conflict and disturb, it is well for the Christian Scientist to introduce the mental leaven of confidence in Truth into "the lump" of fear and uncertainty. He may well turn his thoughts to a healing message from the pen of Mary Baker Eddy, containing both a promise and a loving admonition. The message is as follows (Miscellaneous Writings, pp. 306, 307): "The Psalmist saith: 'He shall give His angels charge over thee.' God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for to-morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment. What a glorious inheritance is given to us through the understanding of omnipresent Love! More we cannot ask: more we do not want: more we cannot have. This sweet assurance is the 'Peace, be still' to all human fears, to suffering of every sort."

What are the angels that take charge of the righteous and encamp "round about them that fear him," and deliver them? In Christian Science, we learn that angels are spiritual thoughts, the touch or presence of which lights the way to peace and plenty. "Angels," according to the Glossary in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 581), are "God's thoughts passing to man; spiritual intuitions, pure and perfect; the inspiration of goodness, purity, and immortality, counteracting all evil, sensuality, and mortality." In this description is found a sure foundation for spiritual building, one on which we may rest secure. Angels are not glorified human beings. Angels are "God's thoughts." And what will these God-bestowed messages do for us? They will not only protect, but take charge over us in all our ways, as the Psalmist declared. They will reveal true substance also, furnishing daily supplies, filling all human needs here and now.

Angels, as "spiritual intuitions," operate to preserve us. When admitted to consciousness they destroy wrong thinking, all that is unlike God, good. When one entertains right ideas, one finds that erroneous beliefs, such as fear, limitation, lack, impoverishment, depression, are destroyed, and betterment follows in human experience. God's thoughts are substantial and immortal, and the angels of God's presence bring assurance of spiritual good as ever available.

After quoting the Psalmist's declaration of God's protecting power, our Leader continues, "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies." It is apparent, then, that all one needs to do is to open the door of his thought to divine Life, Truth, and Love; and, behold, spiritual ideas, pure and immortal, will flood his consciousness. If we accept these spiritual thoughts, they will do their perfect work of supplying our needs. The problem is to see that angel thoughts are entertained in our house, our consciousness, that they may serve us and supply our daily needs.

The Apostle James writes, "Every perfect gift is from above," therefore spiritual, perfect, and eternal. Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 494), "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." Is it any wonder, then, that in times of world discord the troubled thought longs for the angelic message of "on earth peace, good will toward men"?

In Christian Science it is understood that spiritual ideas are eternal and ever present. Thus, it is not necessary to be unduly concerned over tomorrow's needs. In the realm of reality, where the real man lives, there is no tomorrow; it is always now, the noonday of perfection. So then, if men lack anything, if they need employment, or food, or clothing, or home, or income, strength, activity, or health, they must seek and find God's angels—"God's thoughts"—first. If one but removes the barriers of false beliefs, such as fear, worry, apprehension, limitation, and opens wide the door of his thought to divine Love, these angels will come in. Thus he sees the promise of good fulfilled, and knows that he will have all he needs every moment.

Our beloved Leader never made a promise that cannot be demonstrated by sincere seekers after Truth. And what a "glorious inheritance," as she declares, is ours for the seeking! Abundant proof is at hand that "more we cannot ask: more we do not want: more we cannot have." Do we believe this? Then let us try to be worthy of our inheritance, and feel the peace, the joy, the grateful satisfaction which are already man's as the obedient child of a beneficent and ever-loving Father-Mother God.

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