"Weeks have passed into months, and months into years, since last we met; but time and space, when encompassed by divine presence, do not separate us." Thus did Mrs. Eddy, as recorded on page 110 of "Miscellaneous Writings," welcome her students nearly half a century ago. Could there be today a more comforting assurance to people who are faced by the problem of being separated from loved ones? Divine presence does indeed encompass all of God's children, binding them together in unity.

What is separation? Webster says that to separate means "to disunite, disconnect, or sever;... to part,...to divide." What causes separation? Many people would answer, Time and space. Even from a human standpoint we cannot accept that as entirely true. Mere physical closeness does not preclude separation. It is possible to be in the same room with someone and yet feel far apart. Contrariwise, many have felt very close when miles intervened. In the latter instance it is the presence of love that makes the difference. The love that endures under strain is that which has lost much of self, that which sees man as God made him. It is not weakened by jealousy, selfishness, doubt, or fear.

Division and separation never come from God. God knows only oneness, one Mind, one Love, one presence. Recognize the argument of separation for what it is, a wile of the devil. Sometimes it tries to divide through strife or misunderstanding, sometimes through time and space. Sometimes, if one fails, it tries another. How the temptation comes is unimportant, but it is important to remember that it is only a lie, sponsored by a liar.

Jesus, when tempted of the devil, countered its claims by authoritatively quoting the Scriptures. This method is efficacious today too, and may be supplemented by citations such as the one at the beginning of this article, from the pen of our Leader. We can say, as did Paul. "I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God."

A familiar proverb says that people are known by the company they keep. That can be said to be true of words too. The word "loneliness" appears in Science and Health only in the definition of "wilderness." There (p. 597) the author defines it in part as follows: "Loneliness; doubt: darkness," certainly an unattractive trio.

Loneliness is one of the most persistent phases of separation. Occasionally someone submits to loneliness as its innocent victim, whereas if it were recognized as dejection or depression it would be seen to be erroneous and would be cast out. The presence of human companions does not always preclude loneliness, nor does solitude necessarily include it. It is obvious that it is the attitude toward given conditions rather than the conditions themselves which determines whether or not the result promises to be joyous. The scientific approach to every situation is to understand that one cannot be solitary in the presence of God, nor can one ever be out of God's presence. No one can be depressed or dejected while consciously praising God. Neither can he be gloomy while acknowledging the Father's ever-present love and goodness.

Attributes such as love, companionship and vivacity which an individual expresses, rather than the physical person, are what one misses when someone goes away. And these ideas cannot be taken from us. The effort to express daily more loving-kindness and gratitude brings with it a larger measure of love and joy. Other admirable qualities may likewise be brought consciously into daily living. God provides for our every need. He comforts, guards, and guides. Every experience affords an occasion for further growth, a glorious opportunity to bring more good into experience than has been gained previously.

To be convinced that all is well with those we love, we do not need to perceive it through the material senses. God cares for each of His little ones. Each one is "hid with Christ in God." God's ever-presence implies the presence of all power also. This constitutes perfect immunity from evil.

How, then, is the belief of separation overcome? By insistently replacing every argument of time and space with the truth of omnipresence. When time and space are encompassed by divine presence, they cease to be, for they are only mortal concepts, about which God knows nothing. They cannot be present where God is, and God and His creation are all that is. God's creation, like Himself, is spiritual. That which God did not create can have no power or reality.

Each individual works alone with God. He can prove now that he cannot be separated from any good. The completion of this work depends entirely upon his ability to eliminate the erroneous arguments that are presented to him. No one else's acceptance of the reality of time and space can limit him. A world's belief in war cannot affect him. Every one of God's ideas is at one with Him, and all are thereby united. Often it takes courage and persistence to hold serenely to the truth of God's all-power and presence, and man's immunity from material conditions, when the senses protest loudly to the contrary. This must, however, continue to be done until declaration becomes realization and complete healing is manifested.

When our Leader tells us that "time and space, when encompassed by divine presence, do not separate us," she is not making an idle statement. It is a promise, indeed a scientific fact. It is practical, for it has been proved true in individual experience. The work of proving it true is glorious, a wonderful opportunity for greater understanding of man's oneness with God. Even now we can rejoice that, in the words of a hymn,