SAFETY IN SERVICE

Robert Ellis Key

How good it is to know that divine law is the only law operative in earth as in heaven. The law of Life perpetuates our existence. The law of Truth ensures our health, for it separates us from all error. The law of Love protects us from all dangers and from evil in all its forms.

The soldier on the battlefield or in camp, the sailor on the high seas or in port, is in the presence of divine law. The airman piloting his ship across the skies is safe when he is aware of his existence in Spirit and follows the guiding beam of divine Love. We are under the same code of divine law that raised Jesus from the dead and enabled him to prove the falsity of life in matter. It is clear that we cannot in reality be separated from divine law or be deprived of Life by any material circumstance.

As Christian Scientists we have ever reason to expect the destruction of error and the safety and success of all those who rely on Truth at all times. Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (Pref., p. vii), "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings." This promise contained in the revelation of Christian Science is being fulfilled for all who understand it. As we learn to lean on "the sustaining infinite" our countless blessings multiply, and our fears diminish and disappear. We learn that fear is without cause or effect because in itself fear is a form of mesmerism which attracts the thought away from God. But man cannot be attracted away from God. His unity with God is fixed and permanent.

The law of God operates on sea and land, beneath the earth and over the earth. "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" the Psalmist asked (Ps. 139:7). We might ask, "Whither shall I flee from God's law?" The law of God is inseparable from the Christian Scientist.

A Christian Scientist who is called upon to serve his country in a national emergency has every reason to feel fearless because he knows that man embodies the laws of God in all their infinite scope. His eternal assignment is not under the jurisdiction of a mortal, but under the great commander, God, whose servant he is. If one is sent to the battle front, he knows that Love has gone before him. He leans on "the sustaining infinite," and is safe.

A young officer who is a Christian Scientist was once given a dangerous assignment. It seemed suicide to him, and he expressed this opinion to his superior officer, who, also a Christian Scientist, lovingly replied in effect: "The orders are not mine; they come from the higher command. You will be taken care of." The young officer went back to work out the problem in Christian Science.

The statement found on page 385 of Science and Health immediately came to him, and it came with conviction, "Whatever it is your duty to do, you can do without harm to yourself." His command was to consist of one hundred men, and when he was training them in their respective duties, this passage from the Bible was continually in his thought (John 17:12): "Those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost."

The night came for the mission, but no hail of rifle fire greeted the advance of the little band. All was quiet along the front. A young officer, running back to the Christian Scientist, whispered: "We are all out there in the open, sir, and they do not see us. It is wonderful." It can well be imagined with what joy the Christian Scientist heard this report. His mission was to get information, and this was accomplished so successfully that it was cause for congratulations from his superior officers.

Surely to lean on "the sustaining infinite" is all-sufficient at all times. Let us keep this life-giving thought ever before us, on the march, in the air, or on the sea. Safe in the keeping of Love, we can go where we are sent without fear. Relying on the controlling Mind, which is God, we find that we are watched over and cared for. The words of the Psalmist ring truer today than ever before (Ps. 91:1, 2): "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."

There is safety in service. The Christian Scientist who is called upon to serve his country can do so without any fear of disobeying the sixth commandment. Impelled by a desire to do good and to serve mankind, he will be given opportunities for doing so. Let him daily turn to God for guidance, and he will be led into ways more wonderful than he could have planned for himself. Mrs. Eddy writes (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, pp. 149, 150), "Remember, thou canst be brought into no condition, be it ever so severe, where Love has not been before thee and where its tender lesson is not awaiting thee."

Robert Ellis Key

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