In the study and application of Christian Science the student may find, sometimes, certain words or phrases which act as monitors to his thought, helping him to keep in the direct course which he is desiring to pursue. One such admonition appears weekly on the cover page of the Christian Science Sentinel, in Jesus' words, "What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." Thus did the Master enjoin his followers to keep constant and meticulous guard over their thoughts and motives.

There are other admonitions which may serve a similar purpose, such as "Stop! Look! Listen!" To those familiar with railroad crossings, especially those of an earlier day, these words may recall a familiar picture. At the point where the country road crossed over the railroad track there was posted the white, triangular sign with its warning in bold, black letters, "Stop! Look! Listen!" And there the driver would stop, obeying the command, and thus place himself on the side of safety.

The Psalmist declared, "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." Jesus obeyed God's voice and would "stop" his labor and turn to Him in prayer. And he sometimes arose a great time before day and withdrew in solitude to commune with the Father. Sometimes during the day he prayed in the wilderness alone, sometimes with his disciples; and on a notable occasion he went up into a mountain to pray with his beloved Peter, James, and John. When at the tomb of Lazarus, he communed with God. When he was alone at the close of day, we find him engaged in prayer. Wherever he went and whatever he did, his thought continually communed with God.

Mary Baker Eddy also frequently turned in silent prayer to God. Her constant duties, the exacting demands upon her time, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles impelled her to turn many times from material opposition to quiet and restful communion with divine Mind. This ability to stop one's mental or physical labor for a moment and turn to God in prayer for divine guidance and support, means a strengthening of purpose and an inflow of inspired thought which improve the daily task and increase right accomplishment. In speaking of her own practice, Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 133): "In the midst of depressing care and labor I turn constantly to divine Love for guidance, and find rest. It affords me great joy to be able to attest to the truth of Jesus' words. Love makes all burdens light, it giveth a peace that passeth understanding, and with 'signs following.'"

Christian Scientists have learned the value of constant, daily prayer. Availing prayer is the prayer of realization, the recognition of the ever-presence of infinite perfection. It is effectual not only to comfort the sorrowing and to give impulse to endeavor, but also to bring about harmonious and successful results in the daily course. It is a means of preservation in the midst of seeming danger. Communion with God under all circumstances brings to bear instant recognition of supreme, deific power, overcoming material resistance: of God as omnipotence, not only in the spiritual sphere, but in the so-called physical as well. In the well known words of the poet:

By turning to God in a busy moment one may realize His presence through the silent, pure desire to feel His presence and rest in His Love. The basis of all healing work is the realization of the nature of God and of spiritual man. Naturally, the sense of person or physical body is left out of thought when one's consciousness is lifted to God, the one divine Mind. Some of His attributes are allness, omnipresence, omniscience, wisdom, substance, being, intelligence, might, and power. His creation, including spiritual man, consists of perfect ideas. From this it is seen that what has presented itself as a sick, deranged, depleted condition is mortal belief, the counterfeit of the spiritual fact of divine Mind; hence its nothingness and powerlessness to affect or interfere with the natural harmony and well-being of man.

Effectual prayer has its effect upon us as we see the things that pertain to God; hence the significance of the word "look." In fact, the importance of looking at and knowing oneself is paramount. Mrs. Eddy writes (Science and Health, p. 8), "We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn that we honestly are." The farmer is interested not only in planting the seed, but also in stirring the soil, that it may receive the benefits of air and moisture, and retain that which is needed for growth. We should not hesitate to look into our thoughts to find the way they are tending, and to ask ourselves daily whether we are loving, honest, and meek. What we are seeking determines what we are gaining. If it be the praise of men, the longing for place and position and the advancement of self, then divine Love is not becoming nearer and dearer to us. If we would submit to Spirit, God must be first in our affections. The farther one advances in the study and practice of Christian Science, the greater the need for watchfulness over all one's thinking.

The false sense of self should pass away. There is but one true Being, and that is God. Mrs. Eddy writes (ibid., p. 588), "There is but one I, or Us, but one divine Principle, or Mind, governing all existence." Man is the manifestation of God, the reflection of the only I or Us, the expression of Mind. His selfhood is derived from God. When the understanding of true selfhood, as the reflection of God, is attained, then one will find himself neither exalted nor debased, neither sick nor sinful, but the meek, loving, pure, holy, sinless, perfect son of God.

In addition to the need to "stop" and "look," we have also the admonition to "listen." A prayerful life, fraught with self-examination, is ever ready to listen for God's voice. From the human standpoint, attention to what is being said is a necessary requisite to good listening. It is an observable fact that in some cases inattention to what is being said, due to lack of desire, engrossment in one's own thoughts, or to the habit of allowing the thought to wander, contributes to poor listening. Habits should be cultivated which induce attentiveness, promptness, alertness, obedience, thus overcoming tendencies of procrastination, indifference to duty, and the avoidance of doing what should be done. In this wise one learns to listen for and obey right direction.

True listening is a spiritual attitude, the demonstration of which should begin in early youth and blossom in maturity. Ability, capacity, strength, power, come as the result of listening to the voice of God, the word of Truth. Through listening to Truth, we are enabled to distinguish divine ideas from material beliefs. Kindness, gentleness, honesty, integrity, sincerity, loving consideration, meekness are evidences of listening for God's voice. Good works, profuse with healing, are the sure reward of spiritual listening.

He who stops to pray will be refreshed with the living waters of Truth; he who looks well to his thinking will keep his feet from stumbling; he who listens and attends quietly unto God's Word, and obeys His voice, will rest in safety, abiding "under the shadow of the Almighty."

Copyright, 1940, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, One, Norway Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.