THE BRIDAL HOUR

MARY E. SHELLEY

Everyone desires freedom from political turmoil, international distrust, domestic problems, from sin, sickness, and death. And humanity today is searching for stronger and more enduring foundations upon which to build a happier and more peaceful life.

Whenever prophets have seen the truth and have imparted it to their people, it has always had a regenerating and healing influence. Over two thousand years ago Christ Jesus lightened the burdens of many of his countrymen by his understanding of God's love for His children, and his teachings continue to bless us today. Christian Science, based on the inspired teachings of the Bible, reveals completely God's true nature. This Science is the culmination of prophecy. Through its application problems of every nature are being solved, and its students are proving that God's will is "done in earth, as it is in heaven."

The method by which we may enter into the heavenly consciousness of God's goodness is illustrated by the Master's parable of the ten virgins. He said (Matt. 25:1), "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom." The virgins needed their lamps in order to behold the bridegroom, and these lamps gave forth a bright and shining light only when they were properly filled with oil.

Mary Baker Eddy defines "bridegroom" in part as "spiritual understanding" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 582) When we go forth in search of spiritual understanding, do we have our lamps filled with the qualities which will illumine our thought? "Oil," Mrs. Eddy defines as follows (ibid., p. 592): "Consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration." These are the qualities we need in abundance to keep our spiritual lamps lighted so that we may behold the appearing of the bridegroom.

Consecration expresses complete devotion in serving God. If we are earnestly striving to serve Him, we shall not devote just part of our ability or part of our time to His service, but we shall at all times wholeheartedly turn from sense to Soul. To God's man, the only true man, nothing exists but God and His perfect creation. Man, forever preserved in God's image and likeness, has not the slightest taint of imperfection.

We shall find that as we drop our material, changeable concepts of God and man, we gain the understanding of God's allness and His tender care for His perfect reflection, man. We shall rejoice in continually expressing God's love, and never find any task too humble or any need too great.

Charity is another quality which can be expressed more fully and frequently in our human lives. Charity is love, and its healing influence causes us to express the harmonious action of divine Mind. As the graces of good will and affection replace resentment and selfishness in our consciousness, the ugliness and stubbornness of disease give way to glowing health. As we liberally prove the blessedness of good thoughts and deeds in behalf of suffering and sinning mortals, we shall no longer tightly grasp any false claim about ourselves. Let us then relinquish all uncharitable thoughts about ourselves and our brother man. Then will sin and disease be denied foundation or evidence.

Another of Mrs. Eddy's synonyms for "oil" is "gentleness." Do we always turn gently to the leadings of divine Mind, or do we sometimes give in to self-righteousness? Do we listen kindly to merited rebuke and profit thereby? Do we gently, graciously, work the works of our heavenly Father, and wait patiently for the proofs of His presence? If we do, we shall be able to enter His kingdom, partake of its loveliness, and show others the path forward.

The fourth synonym for "oil," as given in Science and Health, is "prayer." Truly praying, we tread upon holy ground. Prayer acknowledges God's allness and turns completely away from material sense testimony. To pray is to apprehend God's goodness. As one persistently prays in this manner, he becomes aware of the forever fact that all is good and harmonious. From this basis he proves that "all things work together for good to them that love God."

Heavenly inspiration, another quality symbolized by oil, leads to heavenly attainment. Many are prone to take what they call a daily constitutional, an outdoor walk, or some form of vigorous exercise. There is nothing wrong about this when there is no thought of healing connected with it, and while the result may be refreshing, it is not enduring. Would it not be more truly profitable if we continuously walked in the realm of Love, firmly grasping the strong hand of Truth? The resulting heavenly inspiration would cause our lamps to glow with the radiancy of Soul.

May we be unfailingly prompt in trimming our lamps and keeping them filled with the oil of consecration, charity, gentleness, prayer, and heavenly inspiration. Then we shall be wedded to Love and forever demonstrate in our lives the might of Mind and the everlasting bliss of triumphant Truth.

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