Moses — 1955 Association Address
by Herbert E. Rieke
Table of Contents
Moses
In reading the Bible we are always looking for the spiritual lessons we can learn that will help us solve our problems. I am sure that we all learned many things in our study of the life of Moses. I am glad that you related the experience of Moses to your own life. Historical information about an individual of centuries ago is interesting and vital only as it helps us to be a more useful individual.
As you know, Moses was reared in the courts of Pharaoh and had all the advantages in the way of education, security, opportunity and social standing. He could have lived a life of ease and comfort without a single care in the world. But he could not find true satisfaction as long as he saw his fellow-man in bondage. How much this is like the experience of all of us. We too have been reared in surroundings comparable to those of Moses. We have had all the advantages he had, and many modern ones. We too could accept the blessings that Christian Science has brought to us and live the life of ease, with our television sets and radios, our air-conditioned homes and cars, our many material gadgets. But as with Moses so with us, God has put a different spirit in our hearts, and we too cannot really enjoy heaven while we see our brother man outside. We echo the words of our Leader, “The lame, the deaf, the dumb, the sick, the sensual, the sinner, I wish to save from the slavery of their beliefs and from the educational systems of the Pharaohs, who today, as of yore, hold the children of Israel bondage.” (Science and Health, p. 226) We too have seen the importance of praying not for me and mine, but for ours and us. We meditate every day in terms of our heavenly Life, our heavenly Mind, our heavenly being, hallowed be Thy name. We do not pray “Dear Lord, give me this day my daily bread,” we pray in plural terms, asking God’s blessings on everyone. We affirm with spiritual understanding “And God leads us not into temptation, but delivers us from sin, disease, and death.” Many of you have shown that you have prayed in this manner during the past year, and have had wonderful results in helping others to find freedom.
Moses first thought that he could bring freedom to others by material means. He slew two of the task masters. Possibly some of us have been tempted at times to think that we could solve our own and others problems by material means. Possibly we too have been tempted by egotism, a sense of superiority to others, and a feeling that we humanly have the “know how.”
Moses had to flee from Egypt to the back side of the desert, and there take care of sheep for the next forty years. We too soon learn that we cannot solve our problem in material ways. We too find ourselves in a desert place where we have the opportunity to watch carefully over our thoughts and protect them from all evil. We too see the importance of learning the lesson of true humility. But Moses allowed his thought to slip in an attitude of self-depreciation. When God called him and told him he was to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt Moses said, “Who am I that I should go unto Pharaoh and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
What kind of selfhood was Moses now thinking?
He was thinking of himself as a mortal creature, separated from God and divine inspiration. Have not every one of you at some time or another asked the same question, “Who am I that I should heal the sick or bring freedom from the bondage of sin and lack to others?” Some of us sometimes stop right there and give up our holy mission. At this point God rebuked the mortal thought that Moses was entertaining and said, “Certainly I will be with thee.”
What is being spoken of here?
Certainly, you of yourself cannot bring healing or happiness or dominion to anyone; but with divine inspiration all things are possible. Moses was not completely healed in one treatment, but came back and asked God, “Behold when I come unto the children of Israel and shall say unto them, ‘The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you,’ and they shall say unto me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say unto them.”
How was Moses still thinking of himself?
If we think of ourselves as ignorant of the name or nature of God, of course we cannot help others. At this point God uttered those absolute words of truth, “I am that I am.”
What do you think that means?
God was certainly revealing to Moses that there is no other being except the divine Being. He was showing him that there is no false sense of superiority or of inferiority. There is no mortal selfhood. There is just one being, the being of God, infinite good — and man is the manifestation of this pure and perfect being. You know how our Leader puts it — “Man is the expression of God’s being.”
This same divine Mind speaks to you and me daily, hourly, yes, every second — revealing to us that good is the one and only being, and that we are the servant of this holy “I am.”
A little later Moses needs a third treatment. He says, “O my Lord I am not eloquent, neither heretofore nor since Thou hast spoken unto Thy servant, but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue.”
In terms of what kind of a selfhood is Moses now thinking?
You and I at times may be tempted by the same lie, to think that we are not capable of being Christian Science practitioners, that we are not eloquent, that we are of slow tongue, spiritually speaking. And then there comes to us the same rebuke that came to Moses: “Who hath made man’s mouth — now therefore go and I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say.” As we acknowledge our oneness with the divine Mind, we too find that He puts the thoughts in our consciousness and the words in our mouth that bring the needed spiritual inspiration to our patients.
Fortified with the knowledge that “The Lord he is God and there is none else beside Him,” Moses went forth to bring freedom to his people.
Fortified by the knowledge that there is only one kind of being or existence, you too go forth to help everyone find the allness of good, and the non-existence of everything unlike God or good.
A few of you were disturbed because you thought that Moses brought these different plagues on the Egyptians, but he did no such thing. These many plagues spoken of in the book of Exodus were the common experience in the land of Egypt from time to time; and they were the externalization of un-Godlike thinking, such as malice, cruelty, selfishness, egotism, injustice, sensuality and ignorance. Neither God nor Moses sent any plagues on the Egyptians or anyone. Moses just revealed to the Egyptians that negative thoughts bring negative results. But the most important lesson is to be found in the fact that as people listen to God and are obedient to His mandates the plagues immediately disappear.
In your practice of Christian Science, you have been confronted by very similar plagues every day. God never sends cancer, tuberculosis, poverty, or unsanitary conditions. But through the application of His law all such conditions are utterly wiped out. Furthermore, it logically follows that all who obey God’s law are never touched by these plagues.
You, as Christian Science practitioners, are endowed with the ability to reveal the absolute non-existence of all plagues and curses, by revealing to mankind that God is a heavenly Father-Mother who is constantly blessing His children.
Moses knew that there was no power, force, or law that could hold his people in bondage. You, as Christian Science practitioners, realize that there is no power or law that can hold your patient in bondage to materiality of any sort. You too are taking your patient on a three-day sojourn into the wilderness, that you may wholeheartedly worship the one divine Being.
When Moses found himself confronted by a Red Sea in front of him and a host of chariots and horsemen behind him, he first told his people they should stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. But then God rebuked him and told him to instruct the children of Israel that they go forward. In your practice of Christian Science, you have seen the importance of not allowing your patients to sit on their acres of sand, praying that God will somehow come and take their problems away from them. You have instructed your patients how they can, through divine inspiration, mentally walk away from every false sense of inheritance and thus be free therefrom.
You have literally shown your patients how they can go forward into the promised land of health, harmony and freedom. There is never any form of materiality before us which can frighten us or hinder us from passing over into the promised land. As we brought out in last year’s association, the only thing that we can ever see ahead of us is infinite good. Because that is all there is there. We know also that there is no host of mistakes, regrets and unhappy experiences behind us, in our past, which can overtake us and prevent us from finding the promised land of health and harmony. As we go forward with faith and trust, the sea opens before us, and we too walk over on solid ground.
Any of you who might have spent time in the middle east on the desert as I have, know what a welcome sight it was to have a cloud overhead protecting you from the scorching of the sun. The children of Israel had this protective covering of a cloud every day. Any of you who might have gotten lost in your jeep on the desert as I did on several occasions, would realize what a blessing it is to see just a little light anywhere that might guide you safely back to camp. The children of Israel were guided by a light by night.
In your work as a Christian Science practitioner you have the right and duty to know that your patients are protected from the scorching claims of materiality, while they are entering into the promised land of health and harmony. You also know that they are divinely inspired by the light of truth at all times, and that therefore there is nothing to cause them to stumble or become lost.
Sometimes your patients may grumble because their demonstration is not being made in the way they had humanly outlined. They may even want to return to their old ways of working things out through matter and human will. But God gives you the ability to inspire them to carry on until they find their land of complete freedom. There is always manna from heaven to sustain every patient; but this substance is spiritual and cannot be horded. God gives us each day our daily bread, and to horde up for the rainy day indicates lack of trust in God’s eternal sustaining power. The wells of salvation may sometimes seem dry to your patient, but you can strike the rock, or denounce the claim of materiality with such force that the water of inspiration flows forth in abundance for all.
Your practice of Christian Science is not without law. You too must go up into the Horeb heights and receive this law of God. It is not enough just to read your Bible, Christian Science textbook, Mrs. Eddy’s other writings, and the daily lesson sermon; we must abide in uplifted spiritual consciousness, until we receive the law of God not written on tables of stone, but in the very innermost recesses of our hearts. We must love the law of God until we live it in our every word and deed. Then we too shall come down from the mountain and our faces too shall shine with the light of truth.
Our patients at times may also be tempted to want to make and worship the symbols, rather than the true spiritual substance. They may be tempted to think that the worth of a man is measured by the kind of a house he lives in, or the kind of an automobile that he drives, or the kind of a practitioner’s office which he maintains. They may be tempted at times, as of yore, to mold a golden calf to worship; and then you will have to be very vehement in turning their thought away from materiality to the source and principle of all being.
Sometimes your patients would like to enter immediately into the promised land of health, happiness and abundance, without being willing to make the necessary changes in their thoughts and ways of living. Every patient can enter immediately into the promised land, if he is willing to worship God with all his heart and soul and mind, recognizing that there is no other power, presence or knowledge. But if he thinks in terms of opposing forces and powers, if he stands in awe of fictitious giants of materiality, mental malpractice, materia medica, and animal magnetism, he may have to wander forty years, forty days, forty hours, or forty minutes in the wilderness until he is ready to accept the fact that he can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth him.
In your work as a Christian Science practitioner you will be thoroughly knowing that rivalry and jealousy have no place in your experience or that of your patient. They are made utterly nothing by the spiritual fact that there is only one Mind, which goes before us all as a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.
Criticism of you or of your patient is as leprosy, and is excluded to the very outskirts of your camp. Since God is with you — since you are divinely inspired — it is impossible for anyone to think of you except as the oracle of truth. Since you are knowing for your patient and yourself that there is only one Mind and Life, you see clearly that false theology through fear and jealousy cannot curse you, or wish you or your patient ill. Whenever the priests or Balaams of today think of you or your patient, they find it impossible to curse you and your work. They are impelled to bless you, your church and your patients. Even though they were tempted to try to curse you four or five times, they shall be stopped dead in their tracks while there flows into their consciousness a great sense of love, compassion and appreciation for all that you stand for and do. Whenever anyone thinks about you or your patients there arises in consciousness this proverbial host of angels protecting both their thought and yours.
In order for you to be of permanent help to your patients, it is necessary for you to build a temple or tabernacle in which they may truly worship. This tabernacle of course will not be made of posts and canvas, it will not be bedecked with gold and precious stones, it will not even have an inner and outer sanctuary — but it will truly be a tabernacle of God. You will help every patient to have the right sense of body or true identity. You will help him to find his true individuality in and of Soul, rather than corporeality. The rites, ceremonies and incense may have passed away, but the spirit of worshipping God with all the heart and soul and mind is written indelibly in your consciousness and that of your patient.
You may not be able to go over into the promised land of the heavenly experiences of all your patients. You do not even want to. You are content to stand on the mountain top and rejoice with them as they pass over their river Jordan. You are content to have brought them thus far, and you have no desire in any way to limit their demonstration. You are willing truly to loose your patients and let them go, that they may build further on the solid foundation which you helped them find. You have your own promised land, and it is not wrapped up in the thought and experience of your patients; it is entirely in and of God, and you have had it always.
Moses manifested an inspiring example of true spiritual leadership centuries ago. In the extent of the movement of people, it is not to be compared with other great migrations of races into other promised lands. But because of the spiritual inspiration which was brought to these people, and thus to the world as a whole, Moses is recognized today as one of the greatest leaders in all history. It is the quality of work done which is the most important in the long run.
In our movement today, there are many Christian Science practitioners who are doing wonderful work. Sickness and sin of every nature is being healed. We are grateful for all of these healings, but the most important thing in the long run is the spiritual inspiration which you bring to others through your work. It is not enough just to relieve the patient of an ache, a pain, or a disease — the one great question is being asked: “Is the law of God written indelibly in their hearts so that other troubles do not come upon them?” If your life work is to be of lasting inspiration you must always keep in thought that it is not freedom from material bondage which is the most important, it is the spiritual inspiration which lives in eternal consciousness, which lives on and on.
Many individuals want to receive the blessings without prayer. Your work is to help them to see what great joy there is in prayer, and in finding all things work out harmoniously through the inspiration of God. If Moses, Christ Jesus, and Mary Baker Eddy, had just relieved people of aches and pains, their names would have already be forgotten in history. But because they brought to the people a sense of the ever-presence, omnipotence and omniscience of God, with signs following, their work will never be forgotten, but will remain forever an inspiration for all mankind.
The word of God expresses itself forever, and brings freedom and liberty to everyone.
Peace
In the world today, there is a great demand for peace. We have carried our inventive genius so far in the manufacturing of destructive weapons that men in all nations are recognizing that another world war could be the end of our civilization. It is being recognized that men need to learn how to understand each other, and that nations need to regard each other with a cooperative spirit. We are beginning to see as never before that war and international conflicts will not be the solution of any problem. Our good President is giving the world true leadership in inspiring people to work as hard for world peace as they have worked to win a war.
Not only in international affairs, but in national affairs, there is a great demand for peace. In industry it is being recognized that industrial strife in the form of strikes brings good to no one, and the industrial leaders and enlightened labor leaders are putting forth much greater effort to understand each other and the problems of society, so that peace may be maintained in our industrial framework.
In our social structure, great effort is also being put forth to eliminate racial conflicts through desegregation and a sincere desire to understand the purpose and aspirations of all people.
Even in the realm of religion, great effort is being put forth to unify the activity of church denominations. Great mergers are being discussed. Cooperative action is being taken. All religious bodies are regarding each other with greater tolerance and understanding. The strife and bitterness of a few decades ago are disappearing from the thought of church leaders. This is evidenced in a much more tolerant and understanding attitude toward our religion, Christian Science.
Even in the experience of the individual it is being increasingly recognized by the medical fraternity that a great percentage of all disease and sickness originates in a sense of strife and conflict in the consciousness of the individual, and great effort is being put forth to resolve these conflicts.
If we want to eliminate war, industrial conflicts, social and religious conflicts, from the experience of men we must begin by demonstrating the nonexistence of conflict in our own thought. I am sure that we can do a great deal of good for the world and for ourselves by giving sincere consideration to this subject this afternoon.
Until the discovery of Christian Science the general religious concept was that here we all are, a society of mortals struggling with the temptations of sin, sickness and death. People have thought of themselves as enmeshed in evil which they are trying to overcome. They have regarded themselves as creatures who have strayed from the ideal pattern and who are trying to be redeemed or brought back into line. They have seen themselves as sick, trying to apply different remedies that they might be healed. And they have all been fighting against that final thing called death.
Christian Science, in presenting a positive approach toward religion, reveals to us that we are in fact God’s perfect children made in His image and likeness. We begin in our reasoning with perfect God, perfect universe, and perfect man. And then we see that the practice of our religion consists in the proving with scientific certainty that since we are God’s perfect children, living in His heavenly kingdom, that we are not sinful, sick, or dying. We are not trying to get rid of anything or overcome anything. We are proving that since we are God’s ideas we have not a single quality underived from Deity. We must be on guard not to fall back in the ways of old theology by constantly thinking in terms of trying to overcome some error or get rid of some evil.
Let us here observe the scientific approach of our Master. You will recall that he received the divine revelation that he was God’s perfect child, just as we have received the revelation through Christian Science that we are God’s perfect ideas. Then it is related that he went into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. It stated that he was tempted as we are, yet without sin. During those forty days and nights in the wilderness he was not trying to get rid of evil traits and characteristics, he was not trying to overcome human errors, he was not having a battle with himself, with sin, or with Satan — instead he was proving with scientific certainty that since he was the child of God, perfect, whole and complete, he did not need to change a rock into bread to be sustained. Neither did he need to jump off the pinnacle of the temple to prove God’s power. Neither did he need to acknowledge the presence and power of evil in order to have dominion over all the earth. Those forty days and nights were not hours of struggle, conflict, and battle; he was demonstrating the facts about God, the universe, and man. This was not a battle-ground but a proving ground for Him.
As the master was baptized in the river Jordan, so you have been baptized by the baptism of fire as taught in Christian Science. You have been purified by Spirit. You have been submerged in Spirit. And you too have heard the voice from heaven saying that you are God’s beloved child in whom He is well pleased. During the past forty minutes or forty hours, or forty days nights, or forty years — you too have not been on a battle ground trying to overcome or get rid of the devil, sin, and the claims of mortality. You too have been on your proving ground, proving that since you too are the child of God, you too are without sin, and you too can prove that you have not a single quality underived from divine Mind. We must stop acting like Christian warriors, and begin to act as Christian demonstrators.
Much of old theology has exalted the concept of a Christian warrior. Even in our Hymnal we have such hymns as, “The Christian Warrior, see him stand, in all the armor of his God.” But Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.”
In the beginning of his career it is related that Jesus cast the money changers out of the temple. This is a beautiful symbolic illustration of how we should purge our individual religious approach from worldly traffic. But I am not sure that the act of Jesus brought much reform in the temple; for history records that the money changers were soon back, carrying on their materialistic activity.
You and I may be tempted at times to think that we would like to drive the money changers and Pharisees out of local churches; but such an attitude of strife and conflict will do neither us nor our churches any good. What we need to do is to prove with scientific certainty that since church is the structure of Truth and Love, since it rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle, there is therefore no Pharisaical thought therein, there is no materialistic worship, there is no evil there. The only church that you I will ever have is our concept of church. And we can have the most beautiful and pure concept imaginable. And having that concept of church we will share it with others until our church organizations as a whole, manifest the purity and perfection of our Master’s concept of church.
Soon we find the Master preaching the gospel of peace, and non-resistance. He told us if someone slapped us on one cheek we should turn him the other. He knew it was better, it was healthier for us to be slapped on both cheeks, than to allow there to develop in our thought a sense of conflict, fight, battle and struggle. He said if someone takes away your coat, that you should give him your overcoat also. He knew this was healthier than to get in a mental conflict about it. He said if someone requires that you walk a mile with him carrying his burden, that you should offer to go two or three miles with him. This is better than to have a sense of conflict on the subject. He said that we should agree with our adversary while we are in the way with him. He indicated that this was better than to get into a conflict and to be brought before the judge.
As you read the life of Jesus you find that early in his career he called his opponents some rather unkind names. But later in his career he said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
When the Roman soldiers came to take him in the Garden of Gethsemane, don’t you think he could have called for the hosts of angels from heaven as Elijah did, and have conquered that band of soldiers? But he didn’t. He knew he was the prince of peace, and he rebuked Peter who drew forth the sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. He was seeking to prove with scientific certainty that there no conflict in God or in man, His image and likeness. He knew that all disease, war and trouble in the world comes from a sense of mental conflict, and he was giving us an example how to prove its non-existence.
False theology has presented the life of Christ Jesus as a great human conflict. Christian Science presents the life of our Master as a marvelous example of one who demonstrated the non-existence of conflict and thus proved that he was the prince of peace.
The life of our beloved Leader followed the example of the Master. In the beginning of her career there was a considerable amount of conflict, battle and struggle. In one of the early editions of Science and Health there is a chapter of forty-six pages on the subject of demonology in which there is personal denunciation of individuals. But as the revelation continued to unfold to her thought, the sense of conflict lessened, and she demonstrated the fact that she, as the Master, was a great peace maker. On January 1897 she wrote in the Preface of Miscellaneous Writings: “With armor on, I continue the march, command and countermand; meantime interluding with loving thought this afterpiece of battle. Supported, cheered, I take my pen and pruning-hook, to ‘learn war no more,’ and with strong wing to lift my readers above the smoke of conflict into light and liberty.” That statement certainly summarizes the life-purpose of our Leader — to lift us all above the sense of conflict into light and liberty.
In our daily ministrations we must make sure that we do not let the old concept of war, battle and struggle take precedence in our thinking. Many individuals have been so busy thinking in terms of battle and conflict that they pick out those statements in the Bible and our Leader’s writings, and do not follow through to the full comprehension of her meaning. May I take one often quoted statement as an example? On page 118 of Miscellaneous Writings our Leader says, “Be of good cheer; the warfare with one’s self is grand; it gives one plenty of employment. . .” I hear this passage quoted often in testimonial meetings. Almost every Christian Scientist is familiar with it, and one would almost get the thought that an inner battle or struggle is desirable. She certainly could not have meant that. I have asked dozens of people if they know the rest of that sentence, and I have yet to find one who was acquainted with the conclusion of that sentence. I ask you, as an Association, how many of you can quote the rest of that sentence? Here it is: “and the divine Principle worketh with you, — and obedience crowns persistent effort with everlasting victory.” Now there is the key to the sentence — everlasting victory, — lasting forever and ever. We should certainly think in terms of this everlasting victory over all error, rather than thinking in terms of an eternal warfare with one’s self.
I ask you honestly, do you think that there is any conflict or warfare in God the one divine Mind? Then is there any warfare, battle, struggle or strife in the consciousness of man made in His and likeness? Of course not. The only place that warfare, battle, struggle, strife and conflict are to be found is in a mortal sense of manhood. It is our divine privilege to prove that since we are the immortal ideas of the one divine Mind, that we therefore are not and do not embody strife, warfare, conflict and struggle.
You will recall our Leader’s statement on page 567 of the textbook: “The Gabriel of His presence has no contests. To infinite, ever-present Love, all is Love, and there is no error, no sin, sickness, nor death.” Since God is omnipresent, what is there beside the Gabriel of His presence? How important it is for us to declare often that there are no contests. Our Leader goes on to say, “Thus endeth the conflict between the flesh and Spirit.”
I used to find pleasure in the thought that my first name, Herbert, means warrior or glory of the army. I have fought many a battle, but I do not know that very much good has ever been accomplished from these battles. I am beginning to like my middle name better, for Edward means peace maker or defender of property. It is here where we can always accomplish our greatest works in defending our true sense of identity and helping others to defend theirs by proving with scientific certainty that they are the children of God.
Life has usually been presented to the world as a great struggle, conflict or battle — a tug of war as it were. They say that life is a great tug of war. On the right hand there is the force of good pulling in this direction. On the other hand, there is the force of evil pulling in the opposite direction. Man, you and I, are the rope in between, sometimes pulled to the right, and sometimes to the left. But always under a state of tension. What do you think of this illustration of life? What is wrong with the illustration? If you have a tug of war and all the power is on one end of the rope, what will happen to the contest? Of course, God is omnipotent and therefore there is no force on the other end. Of course, it follows there will be no contest, no battle, no struggle, no tug, and no war.
We know that you are the image and likeness of God, and that God or good is unlimited in power. What is it that seems to tug at you and separate you from the presence and power of God? Of course, there is only one answer — there is nothing that can do it. What is it that seems to keep tugging at your sense of identity and seems to be pulling you away from good? Again, there is only one answer — nothing. What tries to pull you away from good? There is nothing. that wants to pull you away from good. There nothing there. What appears to pull you away from good? Nothing. The answer must always be nothing, for there is no power on the other end of this rope. There is nothing that can separate you from the love and power of God.
Now every sense of conflict in the world is a belief that there is a force or power that can pull in the opposite direction from good. Absolute Christian Science proves that this is impossible, for God, good alone is omnipotent, and does not share its might with any other force or power. Therefore, the thought of conflict, battle and struggle is absurd.
It is not enough to affirm these glorious truths — we must live them in our daily lives. You will recall of course our Leader’s statement beginning on page 24 of No and Yes: “As there is none beside Him, and He is all good, there can be no evil. Simply uttering this great thought is not enough! We must live it, until God becomes the All and Only of our being.”
Here I would like to say a word about the importance of living consistently with the absolute truth which we declare. If we declare for the absolute truth and then express error, this of course is hypocrisy. An illustration was given in an article in a Journal last spring, of a woman who would only read the absolute statements of truth in the textbook and Mrs. Eddy’s other writings. She refused to read about the claims or handle them. She separated herself from her friends and family and considered herself as just an abstract idea of the one divine Mind. When she began to see the importance of living the divine idea of Love in her daily contact with her family and friends, her healing came rapidly. We cannot just declare the truth — we must live it hourly.
Individuals, who would just declare the absolute truth and not do anything about it by denying the error, or proving by their lives that they are the complete embodiment of this absolute truth, are often called “absolutists.” We do not teach such abstractionism in Christian Science. There is only one way to demonstrate our truth and that is to affirm our likeness to God, and then to deny all sin, and take up the cross and live consistently with our declarations. It, of course, is not Christian Science to declare that there is no battle, struggle, fight or conflict, and then go forth and be in conflict with others, and in conflict with ourselves. We must prove by our daily life that “the Gabriel of His presence has no contests.”
Here I would like to give consideration to a number of claims of conflict, that we might think constructively together in proving their non-existence. May we first give thought to what have been called emotional conflicts — that is, conflicts with one’s inner emotions, with the inner-self as it were. Our approach is of course the recognition that there is one divine Soul, which is the source of all feeling. This Soul harmonizes and coordinates all feelings. Since this is true, there cannot be a conflict in Soul, or in our emotional sense. Closely related here is the claim of conflict between the desire to do right and desire to do wrong in our individual consciousness. Through prayer, we can prove with scientific certainty that we do not have two natures. We can rejoice in the fact that the one divine Mind causes its ideas to have only pure and perfect desires. We can refuse to allow our consciousness to be a battle ground, by insisting that since we are God’s perfect child, we have no evil temptations or desires.
Sometimes there is the claim of a conflict between the desire to accomplish good, and a sense of apathy or laziness which would impel an individual to procrastinate and just dream the hours away. We can prove through scientific prayer that since God is Life as well as Mind, that His idea has the capacity to carry out, as well as initiate, a helpful program. Mind coordinates every function of our being.
Sometimes in our practice for our self or for others, we come across the argument of a conflict between a desire to love people and appreciate them, and the tendency to dislike, criticize and find fault with them. Our work in the Christian Science practice is to prove with scientific certainty that Love’s idea is always full of appreciation and honor, of love and kindness. There are never two of us, but only one — Love’s idea.
Sometimes you will need to demonstrate the non-existence of a conflict between selfishness and unselfishness. There is only one way to do this and that is to see that as the Bible says: “It more blessed to give than to receive.” As individuals begin to see that all true success depends upon honest, intelligent service to others, they will find a real thrill in giving rather than trying to get.
Let us rejoice always, that man is never in conflict with his Maker, with himself, or with his fellow man; for he loves God supremely and he loves his neighbor as himself.
May I next say a word about sexual conflicts. According to many authorities this conflict is the source of many illnesses. Christian Science has the true remedy. We are helped to see the truth about woman, about man, and about marriage. Christian Science is helping the world to see the right attitude toward the having and rearing of children. As you help your patients to fill their thought with the right and beautiful ideas, they will find all conflict and struggle disappear. Christian Science is helping its students to prove with scientific certainty that there is not a conflict between the spiritual and the carnal sense of man, for man is spiritual and perfect, and he is so understood in Christian Science. Self-condemnation never solves a problem.
Awakening to the true sense of self eliminates all conflict and condemnation. Here I would like to read again from Mrs. Eddy’s article on Wedlock found on page 289 of Miscellaneous Writings where she says: “Rights that are bargained away must not be retaken by the contractors, except by mutual consent.” Again on page 297 of the same book, she says: “A man or woman, having voluntarily entered into wedlock, and accepted the claims of the marriage covenant, is held in Christian Science as morally bound to fulfil all the claims growing out of this contract, unless such claims are relinquished by mutual consent of both parties, or that contract is legally dissolved.” You can help your patients to prove that they have so much love and compassion that they have nothing but a spirit of cooperation and helpfulness toward their mate. We can rejoice in the fact that God, being our Father-Mother, has no conflict within Himself because of that fact; and therefore, since we are His image and likeness, there is no conflict in thought between the masculine and feminine qualities. They are beautifully harmonized in each individual and each home. As our Leader says on page 57 of our textbook: “Union of the masculine and feminine qualities constitutes completeness. The masculine mind reaches a higher tone through certain elements of the feminine, while the feminine mind gains courage and strength through masculine qualities. These different elements conjoin naturally with each other, and their true harmony is in spiritual oneness.” How grateful we can be that Christian Science has taught us that since we are the image and likeness of the Father-Mother God, we have no sexual conflicts.
May we rejoice here together for a few minutes in the broader recognition that there are no marital conflicts. The mind that brings a man and woman together to live as husband and wife, causes them to think in terms of mutual interests and each other’s individual welfare.
Going back to our illustration of the string, we need to see that Love is here on the right hand, holding husband and wife together; and that there is no force or power out here on the left hand, which can pull them apart. There is neither animal magnetism, nor false attraction, nor jealousy, nor envy, nor any other creature that can separate them from the love of God. Work at your own marriage this way daily, and help your patients to protect their marriages and homes through the recognition that there are not conflicts of interests, but one holy interest in giving a fine example of marriage in the community.
May I say here that marriage is not a battle ground, but a proving ground. It is a royal opportunity for a husband and a wife both to prove their unselfishness, tenderness, consideration, and helpfulness. Our Master said, “Whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.” Through Christian Science we are realizing that since the divine Mind relates all ideas harmoniously, there is no force or power that can put them asunder and cause discord and inharmony. We need to declare vigorously that there is never any conflict of interests. The wife certainly wants to look pretty, and well-dressed; and the husband wants her to look that way, that he might be proud of her. On the other hand, the husband desires to truly husband his resources and provide a right sense of security for the family. And every wife is desirous of helping along this line by economical expenditures to provide for this common security.
There is never a conflict of interests.
These same truths carry over into the family as a whole. Parents want to see their children have a good time, become well educated, and successful. Children on the other hand, respect and honor their parents, and are grateful for the good that is shared with them. Sometimes I do not think we realize how much Love does cause unity and appreciation in families. Recently I was privileged to read a letter that a young man wrote his mother and father upon leaving his home. I have asked for permission to read it to you, for it certainly illustrates the fact that there are always mutual interests.
Dear Mom & Dad:
Well I’m off on my own at last and I left without hardly saying goodbye and most of all thanking you for everything. Thanks for a wonderful home. A home without discord, drinking or smoking.
A home with God. Thanks to Mom for washing out my clothes when I fell in the ditch and feeding me at any time I happened to come in. Thanks for teaching me to say my prayers before I go to sleep. For hanging up my clothes and making my bed.
Thanks to Dad for letting me hold the light when you worked on the car. For a basketball back-board even though I never was any good at it. Thanks for football because if it hadn’t been for you I would have quit and missed all the good times it gave me. Thanks for spanking me once in a while but thanks for not doing it every time I needed it. Thanks for the best example a boy could ever have set for him to follow. These are but a few of the innumerable things which I have to be thankful for. With this background I can never say, “I did this by myself,” because it was all made possible by you both. The only way I can begin to repay is by trying to provide a home and background that will be as near like mine as possible for my family. I’ll try and do this with all my might.
Love, Isn’t that beautiful? And you can all rejoice that that’s the way your children think in their hearts. In honoring our heavenly Father-Mother God, we cannot help but honor our parents. And parents cannot help but respect and love their children, for this is God’s will.
Very often in your practice of Christian Science you will find it necessary to handle the claim of conflict with in-laws and especially when it is necessary for them to live in the same household with the family. Sometimes there is an argument that an individual is being pulled between two affections — for the parents and for the mate. Sometimes there is a claim that the individual is trying to please two parties, and is having a pretty difficult time harmonizing the efforts and activity. Here it is necessary for us to rejoice in the fact that God relates and associates all ideas harmoniously. And it is never the intent of divine Love or Mind that one idea shall encroach upon the life, activity or unfoldment of any other idea. Each individual has his rightful place in society, and Mind orders that place according to intelligence and Truth. It is well not to wait until such problems arise, but to do daily work rejoicing that no conflict of relationships shall ever enter into your home. Rejoice that your home is heaven, as our Leader tells us, and then you cannot help but see the ever-presence of harmony there.
Of course, it’s always well to get back to the basic fact that we are all God’s children — sisters and brothers of the heavenly parent. And since we all worship the one divine Mind, we can find that unity of plan and purpose.
In our business and professional life, we have a rich opportunity in knowing the everywhere presence of that peace which passeth understanding. There is sometimes the claim of clashing personalities to handle. In this matter, of course, we go back to the basic fact that there is but one person and that is God. He expresses himself in infinite personality, and reflects these divine qualities of God. Since there is no clash in the one divine person, there cannot be any such thing as clash of personalities, or conflicts among people.
Very often one needs to know the truth that there are no rivalries and jealousies among God’s people. Declare daily about your business or your church activity, that each individual fills his own niche. It is never necessary for one idea to displace another. In the long run, the most important thing is not how rapidly you have gone to the top, but how much peace, contentment and satisfaction you have had in the going. Every experience you have helps to make you a better and more capable individual. What would sometimes seem to be conflict, may be just a stepping stone toward greater accomplishment. You, of course, are familiar with the experience of Joseph. When he was sold as a slave into Potiphar’s house, it certainly looked as though there was conflict, struggle and battle. But Joseph looked through the situation and found the divine opportunity to be of service and to develop his abilities. Then later when he was falsely accused by the mistress of the house, and was thrown into prison, he might have gone down under with the thought that here was a terrible conflict that had wrecked his career. But instead he sought to be the very be the very best prisoner he knew how to be, and before long he developed talents that made a worthy Secretary of Agriculture. He stated that at that time of course God was just preparing the way through these experiences for him to be able to save his family and the whole Egyptian nation.
When Christian Science asks you to be contented and peaceful in your present occupation, it does not mean that you are expected to be there forever.
But Christian Science does show that in proportion as you learn your lessons properly where you are, that greater opportunities will unfold and you will truly be ready for them.
In your business and professional life, do not fight with people, mentally or otherwise. Let them express themselves, you express yourself, and then let divine Mind unfold the right paths to take. Of course, as God’s children, we do not carry chips around on our shoulders, and we do not see others as carrying such chips. In your daily activity it would be well for you to stop quite occasionally and make such a simple declaration, that you are at peace with your Maker, with your employer, with your fellow workmen, and with those over whom you have supervision. Feel that peace within your own heart, and recognize it as also present with everyone. This will add much to the harmony of your organization, and give you that true sense of comfort and well-being. Insist vehemently often, as our Leader tells us, that God guides every event of your career. Recognize the fact that you are not trying to carve out a little niche in society for yourself — it the heavenly Father who is unfolding your place for you, and He is certainly interested in doing it in a most beautiful fashion. You are but reflection. It is He that arranges every detail of your life. Can you not truly trust Him with your career?
In your church work of course, you will always recognize yourself as a peace maker. There is never anything important enough to fight about. Whether the church buys a new organ, red draperies, or green carpet, is not too important. But whether that congregation maintains a sense of peace is very important for the growth of that organization. When there seems to be a conflict of opinions rather evenly divided at a business meeting, be the one who is willing to see action postponed while everyone prays about the subject, to try to bring about more of a unanimous thought in the congregation. This does not mean of course that you cannot express your most enlightened thought on any subject; but just don’t allow any sense of fight to develop in your thought.
You all know that I have some very definite ideas that we as individuals and the church as a whole should be doing a whole lot more in letting the world know what Christian Science is, what it does, how it works. I have learned, however, not to fight for my ideas. I will express them, and then let Mind unfold them according to God’s plan. It was two, or three years ago that several of us began talking in Boston about the need for television programs. At first, thought did not seem to be very enthusiastic about the idea, but as you know, eventually the right concepts began to unfold, and we now have some very beautiful television programs. When I received a letter from The Board of Directors last spring, inviting me to participate in the Inspirational Meeting of the Annual Meeting last June, I could not help but feel that the Directors have appreciated my idea that the individuals can do a whole lot more in sharing our wonderful message with neighbors and friends.
May I repeat this simple admonition: Don’t fight for your ideas in church. Just present the ideas and then water them with loving kindness; knowing all the time that if they are right, Mind will bring them to fruition.
Never allow yourself to have any sense of conflict with the officials in Boston. They are praying just as sincerely as you are for the unfoldment of the right ideas that will benefit our Cause. You can be quite certain that the divine Mind is ever-present at headquarters and will bring its purpose to pass. You can also know that your efforts to be a good Christian Scientist and to help our Cause are appreciated by headquarters. We certainly need to appreciate and love our Mother Church. Without it we would have no cause of Christian Science. But we can be equally sure that our Mother Church, and the officials in Boston, love and appreciate us as workers. For again, without the workers in the field, there would be no cause of Christian Science. Refuse to ever let yourself be maneuvered into an attitude of conflict with anyone, in the church or without.
Watch that you do not allow any sense of political conflict to make a battle ground of your consciousness. Our leader is one who gave us a beautiful example of an individual who did not allow political considerations to upset her mental and spiritual equilibrium. You will remember when she was asked to state her politics, she replied, “I have none in reality, other than to help support a righteous government, to love God supremely, and my neighbor as myself.” The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany (page 276) A year or so ago I wished that our President would literally pin back the ears of a certain Senator. But he didn’t. He refused to enter into the conflict. He literally just allowed error to destroy itself. I am sure that as we all look at the situation today we can see how wise he was, and how he exemplified exactly what Christian Science teaches, that we should avoid conflict and be a peace maker on every occasion.
Many people wear themselves out, and sometimes make themselves sick with political bitterness. We must often handle this vigorously in helping our patients.
Let us all be honest and admit within our own hearts today what a wonderful country we have, and what a marvelous opportunity we have of sharing our good with all the world, that men may know a true sense of security, abundance, and peace. Of course, there are adjustments to be made and wrongs to be righted, but our mechanism for carrying forth true social justice is most wonderful.
In our practice of Christian Science let us always be alert as our Leader says, “to stem the tide of sectarian bitterness,” not only when it “turns inward,” but also when turns outward. Remember that Christian Science teaches us that we have no conflict with anyone — Lutherans, Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Moslems, or Buddhists. Mrs. Eddy says that she would no more argue with a man about his religion than she would about his politics.
May I here read from one of the Association papers that was sent to me. “One day an acquaintance told me they were going to have to sell their home and move to a different location. Knowing what a lovely home she had, with a fine location in schools, shopping, train etc., I asked why. She said their neighbors were Catholics and were so unkind and unfriendly they just couldn’t live in such inharmony any longer. Her son seemed to have some claim all the time, and she knew it was because of their Catholic neighbors. I told her I wouldn’t move from a home I loved. I would know that God was ever-present, and the one and only power. And I would love the unfriendliness right out of them. Next day she phoned to talk more about this thought. Just a week later she told me the situation was completely reversed. The children were playing beautifully together, and the neighbor had even brought her some homemade cookies.” You can see how a sense of ecclesiastical conflict was going to alter the whole experience of that family, until they came to see the importance of denying that sense of conflict in their own consciousness. Then they found they did not have to go away, that heaven was right there for them. You can also see that this was undoubtedly the claim to be handled in regard to the illness of the young son in that family. Look for the good in your Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist friends and neighbors, and you will find them looking for the good in you as a Christian Scientist. Don’t forget to show respect and admiration for their devotion to their religion; and they will show the same respect and appreciation of you.
I would watch also that I did not have a sense of conflict with the medical profession. You will recall of course that our Leader had nothing but the kindest things to say about the doctors. When people accuse us of not believing in taking medicine, I immediately refute them, and say that we definitely do believe in medicine. Our Leader tells us that if God made everything He made medicine; but this medicine is Mind. And then I point out to people that according to the very best doctors, the medicine that most people need is right ideas about themselves and about their relationship to their fellow-man, and their relationship with God. I am careful not to allow any sense of conflict in my thought with the medical profession. Over a period of years, I have noticed that individuals who seem to have a sense of conflict with doctors and their methods of healing, are usually the ones that find themselves eventually resorting to operations and medical help. The only reason you and I do not resort to material drugs is that we have a much more powerful medicine, the right idea about God and man. The only reason we have no intention of having an operation in a hospital, is because we are thoroughly convinced of the fact that divine Principle is always operating in our experience producing harmony, peace and dominion. In helping your patients, rejoice that there is no sense of conflict between methods of healing — that your patient not being disturbed about the necessity to choose between Christian Science and materia medica. You have a right to know that divine Mind impels its idea to choose that which will be most beneficial for the individual. And Mind is capable of maintaining a sense of peace and satisfaction in the decision to trust Spirit.
Not long ago an individual who was a seasoned Christian Scientist came to me for help. She, however, had not been receiving her healing. She informed me in conversation that she spent a good hour every day realizing the truth that Christian Science heals. Do you think that would be a good practice for all of us to take time each day to realize that Christian Science heals? I hope that you can see that by such practice this woman was acknowledging a sense of conflict in her thought. It was as though there were some mind that was saying that Science didn’t heal, while she was saying that Christian Science did heal. How much better it would be for her to devote that same amount of time to the recognition of perfect God, perfect universe, and perfect man, in which in reality there was nothing that needed to be healed. She began to change her approach and in a very short time found her freedom. Of course, we are careful not to tell a newcomer that Christian Science doesn’t heal, for it is self-evident that when light comes alongside of darkness, that darkness is destroyed. When Truth comes alongside of error, error vanishes. When Christian Science treatment is given it restores harmony. But the absolute fact is that in Truth there no error; not even any error to be destroyed. In God’s kingdom there no darkness to be replaced by light, and there is no inharmony to be destroyed by Christian Science treatment. Along this line our Leader tells us on page 61 of Unity of Good: “Invalids say, ‘I have recovered from sickness’ when the fact really remains in divine Science, that they never were sick.”
Watch in your own thinking that you never allow any sense of controversy or conflict to arise in your thought, as to whether Christian Science heals. You would not devote a lot of time and energy to knowing that mathematics works. Of course, it inevitably works when rightly applied. Likewise, we know that Christian Science works, and reveals to us the perfection of man in God’s image and likeness. Mrs. Eddy says of creation, “Was not this a revelation instead of a creation?” I like to think the same way about healing. Is not every healing really a revelation of God’s goodness and power, rather than a healing?
In your practice of Christian Science be alert that you never allow any sense of conflict to arise between you and your patient. Remember that you are both on God’s side — the side of Truth, rejoicing together in the facts of being. You are not the representative of divine Mind, while your patient represents mortal mind, and a debate is going on between the two of you. You are both in and of the divine Mind, affirming the facts of existence and refuting together anything that does not fit into the perfect picture. Remember in your practice that you are never trying to destroy anything. Jesus said that he came not to destroy but to fulfil. You are never trying to destroy sickness, but you are opening your thought that the revelation of the everywhere presence of health might be made manifest in your consciousness and that of the patient.
Whenever you try to fight sickness, sin or death, you would make a reality of them rather than to see them in their unreal aspects. I have watched men fight the tobacco or liquor habit, and the harder they fought the more they seemed engulfed in it. Then I have seen them approach it from an altogether different angle. They have recognized the fact that since they are God’s perfect child, they therefore have no desire for tobacco or liquor. And since they live in the kingdom of heaven where all is good, there really is no tobacco or liquor to want or use or even try to get rid of. From that positive standpoint they soon find their freedom.
I am sure that one of the reasons why there seems to be delayed healings in many cases is because both the practitioner and the patient are trying to get rid of something. In that very statement they are declaring error is something, and then it is impossible to cure it. You are of course familiar with our Leader’s statement on page 395 of the textbook: “It is mental quackery to make disease a reality — to hold it as something seen and felt — and then attempt its cure through mind . . . Mental practice, which holds disease as a reality, fastens disease upon the patient, and it may appear in a more alarming form.” You will recall that when the disciples came back from their ministry and reported that the devils were subject unto them through Christ’s name — when they were rejoicing about all the evil that had been destroyed — Jesus said to them, “Rejoice not that the devils are subject unto you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” He was certainly directing them to stay on the positive side. On this same subject you will remember the experience as related in the little book We Knew Mrs. Eddy.
“One of the young men when asked this question, ‘What is God to you?’ said, ‘God is Love, God is Life, Truth, Spirit. He is All-in-all; He is destruction.’ You should have seen her [Mrs. Eddy’s] face; but she let him go on, listening to him in perfect courtesy. He was one of the young men whom she loved very dearly, and when he had finished she said gently, as I recollect it:
‘Now, John, you have said that God is Life, Truth, Love, Spirit, All-in-all, and you have said that He is destruction. Will you tell me how God is destruction? Is there anything but God? What is there then to destroy?’
He answered quickly, and humbly: ‘Nothing, Mother, God is All, and there is nothing else . . .’” (We Knew Mrs. Eddy, Second Series, pp. 44-45)
In speaking on this same subject, you will remember the experience which Edward Kimball relates. He says, “The simpler the treatment, the better. There is no need for a labored treatment. I have heard the statement, ‘She handles error without gloves.’ ‘She goes after it hammer and tongs.’ If error could talk about it, it would probably say, ‘I do not care a particle for that kind of treatment. That kind of treatment means that I am real and must be hammered, and that is all I pretend to be. The only treatment that I am afraid of is the one that makes nothing of me — not enough to hammer. I am afraid of the destructive calm of the one who knows that I am nothing.’” (Lectures pp. 448-449)
In your practice never allow any debate to arise in your consciousness as to whether you know enough about the truth to handle a case. After all, you know that it is never you that does the healing. It is the truth that makes free, and there is never anything to prevent you from taking your Bible and Christian Science textbook together with Concordances, and finding all the truth that is needed to bring freedom in any case.
Never permit a conflict here. You are endowed with the spirit of God, and where this spirit of God is there is liberty.
Sometimes in your practice you might be tempted to think that there is conflict in your practice with your home responsibilities. Don’t you believe a word of it. You can rejoice that Principle harmonizes every phase of your activity. You can fulfil your obligations in the home and still do a wonderful job of healing. Sometimes you may be tempted to think that there is conflict between a normal amount of sleep at night, and your practice. I used to have that one to handle. But now I find that if I am awakened during the night, and give a good Christian Science treatment, it rests me more than hours of repose in unconsciousness. And in fulfilling God’s plan and purpose we never suffer. In your practice also rejoice in the fact that you are never in conflict with any other Christian Science practitioners. We are all individual ideas working in the vineyard of the heavenly Father. Sometimes it is necessary to help a patient to clear up his thought about some previous practitioner that has helped him.
Always show respect and love for all of God’s workers. You will then find them showing respect and love for you and your activity, and this will make your practice much easier.
Because every one of you knows how to stop the fight, and be a peace maker you are very capable of handling such diseases as cancer, tuberculosis, heart trouble etc., which, even according to the best authorities in the medical practice, have their origin in a sense of conflict, struggle and battle. One or several of the foregoing conflicts have often been the origin of the belief in one of these diseases. Matter never kicks up, rebels, or misbehaves of itself. It is only because of a sense of mental conflict that disease is imaged forth on the body. As you remove every sense of mental, emotional, financial, and social conflict from consciousness, you will find nothing but peace externalized in the experience of the patient.
We have handed out a sheet of references on the subject of conflict, rebellion, struggle, fight, etc., together with the remedy, which is a true sense of peace. For the assignment next year, I am asking you to study these references very carefully and to do further research on the subject of peace. I am asking you to read carefully through The First Church of Christ, Scientist and Miscellany, and take particular note of Mrs. Eddy in the role of peace maker. Study particularly that part of the book which deals with the overcoming of war and establishing of peace. I am asking you to be peace conscious, and then next Spring, sometime after June 1st and before August 1st, write me a paper on the subject “How I Beat My Sword into a Plowshare, My Spear into a Pruning-hook, and Became a Real Peace maker.”
I am sure that you can all find some opportunity to do this. Let your papers be not over 500 words in length, and they may be much shorter if you can tell it in fewer words.
We have given consideration to some of the claims of conflict that need to be handled in our practice of Christian Science. Now I would like to say a few words on the positive side of peace. Back in high school days my sweetheart once gave an oration in a State Contest on the subject of “How to Eliminate War,” and she gave a very beautiful quotation from “The World’s Work For March 1922,” by Gilbert Murray. “Peace is a state of mind in which persons or nations are free from anxiety, fear and resentment, and can go about their business undisturbed.” Peace, you see, is not just the absence of war or conflict; it is a mental state in which harmony and contentment are the reality. The Bible says, “He will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.” There is only one way to establish individual, communal, and international peace, and that is to keep our mind stayed on God — to admit, in other words, that there is just one Mind, the divine Mind, which is constantly pouring forth right and peaceful ideas. Peace is the normal and natural state of men and nations. God, in the words of the Bible, “not only causeth war to cease,” but establishes true peace in the consciousness of all.
Again, we read in the Scripture, “Great peace have they who love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them.” Because you truly love the law of God, which can be expressed in three words, God is All, you have that great freedom, that great peace, and you have the right to know that nothing can offend you or take that peace away from you, or irritate, or upset, or disturb, or confuse your thoughts. Peace is the natural state of your being, for as our Leader says, “You are but the humble servant of the restful [or peaceful] Mind.” I love this statement from Isaiah: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil.” How clearly that expresses the facts of Christian Science, that the divine Mind is constantly pouring out for you and for all mankind, thoughts of peace and the ability to live harmoniously one with the other. It was Moses who assured the children of Israel as follows, quoting from the heavenly Father: “And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. And I will rid evil beasts out of the land. Neither shall the sword go through your land.”
Of course, you are familiar with Isaiah’s beautiful statement which is echoed by Micah: “And ye shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people. And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations shall not lift up swords against nations. Neither shall they learn war anymore.” I hope you will become very familiar with these wonderful Bible statements on the subject of peace, quietness and calm, and that you will also become very familiar with everything our Leader has to say on the subject of peace. You will remember, for instance, her statement on page 278 of The First Church of Christ, Scientist and Miscellany, where she says, “Nothing is gained by fighting, but much is lost. War is in itself an evil, barbarous, devilish. Victory in error is defeat in Truth. War is not in the domain of good; war weakens power and must finally fall, pierced by its own sword. The Principle of all power is God, and God is Love. Whatever brings into human thought or action an element opposed to Love, is never requisite, never a necessity, and is not sanctioned by the law of God, the law of Love.” She says on page 286 of the same book: “For many years I have prayed daily that there be no more war, no more barbarous slaughtering of our fellow-beings; prayed that all the peoples on earth, and the islands of the sea have one God, one Mind; love God supremely, and love their neighbor as themselves.” I am sure that this daily prayer of our Leader is also our daily prayer, and that we will give particular attention to it during the coming year. We will pray for peace. We will look for it.
We will work for it. We will acknowledge it as the reality of being, not only in our hearts, but in the hearts of everyone. Not only as a desire of our nation, but a desire of all nations.
There is no God of war. There is no God in war or conflict or battle or struggle. God is found in the still small voice, which establishes and maintains peace.
You are peaceful — this means you are full of peace — so full of the peace which passeth understanding that there is no room for conflict or struggle.
You are truly peace makers, because you reflect the one divine Mind which is the Maker of all peace, and it is for this reason that the Master called you children of God, saying: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
Proving Our Dominion Over Fear
I would now like to talk to you a little about handling the belief of fear. You will recall that our Leader tells us to always begin our treatment by allaying the fear of the patients. She also tells us that when fear is gone the patient is healed. Therefore, I am sure we all can do more effective work in Christian Science if we handle fear intelligently, vigorously and completely.
If you will analyze it carefully you will see that fear is just a mental process of standing in awe of the possibility of the absence of good in one form or another. This is certainly the height of folly inasmuch as God, good is omni-present. The remedy for fear is certainly to stand in praiseful, prayerful awe of the certainty of the everywhere presence of infinite perfection. Let us take a few examples and examine them carefully. Fear of sickness is just a mental contemplation of the possibility of the absence of health. Over the radio, on television, and in newspapers one hears a great deal about this speculation as to the possibility of the absence of health. We need therefore to be wide-awake and alert, standing in praiseful, prayerful awe of the certainty of the everywhere presence of our heavenly Father-Mother God, expressing Himself in well-being or health. When individuals are tempted to go to a physician to have an examination, you can see that they are standing in awe of the possibility that there might be some spot where God is not. They are being tempted to think that there might be some situation or condition where divine Principle isn’t governing harmoniously. They are toying with the erroneous concept that Mind might not be supreme in the control of the entire body. This is certainly foolishness, and the remedy for the fear of sickness is to worship God with all the heart and soul and mind; to see that good is omnipresent and omnipotent, to rejoice that the kingdom of God is truly within us, regulating everything according to God’s law of unlimited harmony. To fear sickness is to dishonor God, and to believe that He has lost control of His universe. This is the height of folly.
Let us here examine another fear that comes up in many cases — the fear of lack and limitation, the feeling of insecurity. When one is afraid of lack, what is he standing in awe of? Is it not the possibility of the absence of divine Love which always has met and always will meet every human need? In much of the discussion about Social Security and insurance policies, there is an element of this standing in awe of the possibility of insecurity. Now there is only one remedy, and that is to stand in praiseful, prayerful awe of the certainty of God as the preserver of man. Some people are always sure that somehow they are going to be taken care of, and they always are. Others through fear are constantly thinking in terms of the possibility of going to the poor farm and that’s usually where they end up. Some people think in terms of just a little trickle of supply, and it does seem just to trickle in a little bit. Others open their thought to the infinitude of Mind, and see that Mind is pouring forth an abundance of ideas. They stand in awe of the great bounty of good that is here for everyone. And of course, that is then what they experience. These individuals take Jesus literally when he said that “He came that we might live and live more abundantly.” He had no concept that there was just a little bit of good for everyone, but that there was an abundance of good for all mankind. Are we standing in awe of the certainty of the everywhere presence of abundance for everyone? That is what opens the windows of heaven that God might pour out this blessing in great abundance.
To illustrate the healing power of the right thought along this line, I’d like to tell you about an experience I had during the past year. I awakened one night with a sense of pain in my side. I saw immediately that it was a sense of tension, and I went right to work to see that there was no sense of fear. At first I could not recognize any fear, and then I remembered that I was apprehensive in the meeting of someone several days hence, because I feared there might be some misunderstanding. You see, I was standing in awe of the possibility of misunderstanding. I immediately turned on this false sense and affirmed with confidence that divine understanding reigns, is all, and there is no other consciousness. I saw that this divine understanding was not only with me, but with everyone causing us all to think harmoniously and helpfully toward one another. I had no sooner cleared my thought on this subject and all tension was gone, the pain had disappeared, and I was able to roll over and go back to sleep harmoniously. That experience taught me a very helpful lesson. For I could see that for many years I have stood in awe of the possibility of misunderstanding with people. At times I was almost walking on eggs to make sure that I did not offend anyone or hurt someone’s feelings, or say anything that might be misunderstood.
Now I began to rejoice more vigorously than ever before that no one could think about me except as the heavenly Father gave him to think. And that I couldn’t think of anyone else except as this one Mind gave me to think. And that therefore there was always spiritual understanding between me and all men. A great load was lifted from my thought, and I have been much more relaxed and free from that day forward. I am sure that you can all do much in the way of standing in praiseful, prayerful awe of the divine understanding which unites you harmoniously with your employer, your fellow employees, your family, your neighbors, your fellow church members, and your friends. No one is going to misunderstand. Therefore, you might just as well relax and enjoy life. There cannot be any absence of divine understanding; for divine understanding is an attribute of God and is everywhere present.
Sometimes you will find patients who are standing in awe of the possibility of making a mistake. They are afraid to do anything because they think it might be wrong. They are afraid to purchase something or to sell something; afraid to take a new job, or not to take it; afraid to get married, or not to get married; afraid to give a testimony, write an article, or tell someone about Christian Science, because they might make a mistake. Such a false sense of fear can be entirely wiped out by the realization of the everywhere presence of Truth which divinely inspires man, and causes him to do right under every circumstance. Through Christian Science we do not stand in awe of the possibility of error. You know, as our Leader says, “In Truth there is no error, all is Truth.” We can rejoice in this infinitude of Truth to such an extent that our thought is always free and we are always inspired to do the right thing.
In the second chapter of Hebrews Paul tells us about many people who “through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” In the light of what we have just been saying, what is the fear of death? It is just standing in awe of the possibility of the absence of Life. But Life is God, and is ever present, everlasting, and eternal. There never was and there never will be any such thing as the absence of Life. That’s the reason Christian Science teaches that there is no death.
Sometimes people tell me that they are not afraid to die. In such a statement they are not denying the existence of death — they are virtually saying they are willing to embrace it as a friend. They are still thinking in terms of the possibility of the absence of Life. Refuse to contemplate such an impossibility. You folks are going to live forever, and you might just as well get used to the idea, for that is the truth about Life. It is eternal. It is again the height of foolishness for you to contemplate your end, or the time when you might not exist, or when you might not exist here. Remember the only here there is, is the omnipresence of good and you’re going to exist in that omnipresence forever. These facts do not encourage us to live carelessly, but joyously in the demonstration of everlasting Life.
One of our Presidents once told us many times that the only thing we had to fear was fear itself. I used to think that was a rather scientific statement. But now as I look back on it I see how absurd it is. To fear fear is to stand in awe of the possibility of one’s standing in awe of the possibility of the absence of good. That is more than the height of folly. It is absolute foolishness. Fear is powerless to do anything. Our Leader tells us on page 151 of the textbook, “Fear never stopped being and its action.” Instead of standing in awe of fear, let us stand in awe of the certainty of the everywhere presence of that confidence which produces harmony and well-being.
Another fear that needs to be handled vigorously is the fear of failure. This must be handled in many of your cases because a false educational system has engendered such a fear. In my school days and yours, we were not inspired with the certainty of success, but there was waved before our thought always the possibility of failure. I was always promoted from class to class, but I was never free from the thought of the possibility of failing. In my examinations, as I look back now, I did not think usually in terms of the certainty of success, but always the possibility of failure. Many individuals never awaken from this negative attitude. Through all their experience they are always fearful of failing. Christian Science gives us the absolute and positive remedy. It is to stand in praiseful prayerful awe of the certainty of success. In the early days of my practice of Christian Science I think I was sometimes hounded by the thought of the possibility of failure. Now I give myself a joyous treatment regularly, standing in praiseful, prayerful awe of the certainty of success in every case. It is certainly not the will of God that any sincere Christian Science treatment should fail to accomplish its purpose. It is God’s plan that every treatment shall succeed. It shall not return unto us void, but it shall accomplish that which God purposes, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto He sends it. In your practice of Christian Science, you need to stand in praiseful, prayerful awe of the certainty of your success. You will remember in the twenty-second chapter of Luke, Jesus prayed that our faith would fail not. And I am sure that his prayer is answered. Paul was expressing the same idea when in writing to the Hebrews he said, “Thy years shall not fail.” Heb. 1:12 We all need to school ourselves daily in the expectation of abundant success. You need to make sure that you are training your children to think in terms of success.
You must help every patient to think in terms of successful living, and successful application of the Principle of Christian Science. Failure is unknown to the one divine Mind, and to the ideas which reside in that Mind. The first Psalm makes it clear that since we delight in the law of the Lord, since we find great joy in Christian Science, whatsoever we do shall prosper. Success is normal. Success is inevitable. Success is according to the law of God.
There are sometimes other fears that you need to handle. Fear of water for instance is a mental process of standing in awe of the possibility of one drowning. Let us stand in praiseful, prayerful awe of the ever-presence of the one divine Spirit which gives us buoyancy. Our Master was not afraid of the Sea of Galilee; he knew so surely that divine Mind supports its idea that he was even able to walk on the water. Today I am impressed by the great sense of fearlessness that young people have in regard to water. When I see them water ski and go through waves at twenty-five or thirty miles an hour, and tumble off the skis with no harm to themselves, I rejoice that the world is losing its sense of fear of water. Sometimes you will find it necessary to handle the sense of fear of going up an airplane or up into a tall building. Such individuals are of course standing in awe of the possibility of falling. A good passage to use is that found in Deuteronomy — “The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
It was Jude who said, “And now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the Most High God. . .” Let us always stand in awe of that divine force or power which bears us up upon its wings and gives us dominion and freedom.
In international affairs people have stood in awe of the possibility of the absence of peace, so much so that much of our economy is geared to the preparation for war. We Christian Scientists can do much toward helping to solve world problems by standing steadfast in our recognition of the certainty of the everywhere presence of peace. We can do much toward turning the world from a contemplation of the possibility of war to an effort to prepare for world peace. You will remember that passage from the Bible, “The Lord maketh wars to cease.” We can rejoice that this is an eternal fact, and the everywhere presence of God precludes the possibility of war. Let us never accept war as inevitable. Let us never think, “If it comes I will know it can’t hurt me.” Let us rather know that the curse causeless called war cannot come. Let us know there is no force or power to bring it into existence; for the divine Principle, Love, governs all. These are some of the divine facts that the leaders of the world are beginning to grapple with, and I am certain that you and I shall see a society in which war is ruled out of the experience of men. I invite you all to spend some time daily standing in praiseful, prayerful awe of the certainty of world peace, of the certainty that there shall be peace on earth and good will toward men. Don’t just hope for or wish for this millennium. Don’t see it as just a divine possibility. Rejoice that it is an absolute certainty. For where God is, all must be peace. And we know that God is everywhere.
Demand And Supply
An individual who had just started in the full-time practice of Christian Science found that his income did not seem to be enough to meet the accumulating bills. He spent considerable time each day seeking to know the truth about supply. He knew, as Mrs. Eddy tells us, that God gives us His spiritual ideas, and they in turn meet our every human need. But his needs did not seem to be met. He sought to realize that supply is infinite, and that there is never any limitation in God’s kingdom; but the demands for cash kept increasing. Supply did not seem to be equal to the demand. Then it was pointed out to him that he should stop working on the subject of supply and know the truth about demand. He could see that he already was well supplied with a knowledge of God. He had a keen desire to be of service and help to others through his application of Christian Science. He had a great sense of compassion and love toward others, and wanted to help them solve their problems. He had plenty of enthusiasm for Christian Science. He had the ability to speak, write and talk well. He was well equipped to be a successful Christian Science practitioner. What he needed to know was that there was a demand for his services. He recognized that God would not supply such an abundance of good in his consciousness and not provide a demand for that good. He saw that he had been seeking to realize that supply was always equal to demand, but that he really needed also to see that demand was equal to supply. Since divine Principle lovingly governs the universe, it always holds supply and demand in balance. Paul put it this way in the eighth chapter of II Corinthians: “For I mean not that other men be eased and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply unto their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want; that there may be equality.” (II Cor. 8:13-14) He rejoiced that there are “millions of unprejudiced minds, simple seekers for truth, weary wanderers athirst in the desert, waiting and watching for rest and drink.” (Science and Health page 570) He saw that this was just as much an absolute fact as the fact that he had a knowledge of God and a sincere desire to share it with others. He knew that Principle had to keep the supply and demand in balance. Almost immediately calls for help began to come to him — sometimes in the most miraculous manner. Almost overnight he was a very busy practitioner. And the tangible expressions of gratitude that poured in were sufficient to meet his bills. God had truly given him a spiritual idea, which in turn gave him his daily supplies, and this idea was that demand always equals supply.
Our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, must have realized this simple fact. She knew that she had found the pearl of great price, and she also knew that there was a great demand for the infinite good that she had discovered. As a result, when she was speaking in Tremont Hall, or Chickering Hall, the crowds came out — there was a demand for what she had to give. People were clamoring for admittance into her classes. She sent her students out into every part of the world, confident that there was a sincere demand for that which they had to share. As a result, the cause of Christian Science grew rapidly.
It seems to me that we in the movement today can do better work in realizing that demand always equals supply. In your several communities Mind has provided you with beautiful church edifices, with attractive Reading Rooms, and Sunday School Rooms. Mind has provided beautiful music from organs and pianos. Mind has provided intelligent readers and musicians. Mind has given you individually and collectively an abundance of love and compassion for your fellow-man, a friendly interest and neighborliness. Mind has provided a beautiful lesson sermon to be read from the desk every Sunday morning. Mind has also provided intelligent testimonies and helpful readings on Wednesday evenings. Now Mind wouldn’t provide this abundant supply of good and not provide a demand for it. Principle holds everything in balance. There is a demand for our pearl of great price. Let us rejoice in this fact daily, and we shall then find the multitudes coming unto us.
This same truth that demand always equals supply has an application in many of our daily affairs. For instance, a piece of property which had been in our family for a number of years came into my hands. Because of the very busy schedule in practicing and teaching Christian Science, it seemed right that we dispose of it. We knew that through it many people had been supplied with very happy vacations for many years. But we did not seem to be able to find anyone to purchase the property. We prayed and advertised, hired realtors, and prayed some more. But it did not seem to move. Some people spoke about us having a white elephant on our hands. We sought to practice the truth that we had learned in Christian Science that what we needed to do was to give this property to someone. But no one seemed to want to accept it. It was then that we decided to give the net profits of the hotel to the Association for this year. Activity and interest began to increase — but still there was no buyer. Finally, the simple truth that demand always equals supply came to our thought. We could see clearly that Mind would not have provided this beautiful and lovely place which had met the needs of our family, and not provide a demand for it when it no longer met our need. Almost immediately things began to happen. Within two weeks there were three demands for the property, and a very harmonious sale was consummated in a very short time. We were paid our asking price and everything went smoothly. We had realized and demonstrated that demand equals supply. We saw that for a period of time we had literally been malpracticing upon our own affairs by thinking that we had a supply for which there was no demand. When we stopped malpracticing and accepted the simple truth that Principle holds all things in balance, the demonstration was made.
I am sure that you can all make very helpful applications of this same idea. Most of you are gainfully employed in some business or office. Probably most of you have thought at one time or another that you wished you could have a greater sense of supply. Possibly at times you were tempted to think that you were not appreciated, and that there was not a demand for your services. When you really appreciate who you are, what you have, and what an abundance of spiritual supply you have in consciousness, and then realize that demand always equal to supply — you will find yourself constantly in demand for good positions. Never malpractice on your career by thinking that you’re not wanted, appreciated, or that there is no demand for you. You would not be here if there was not a demand for the good you embody.
Sometimes you will find patients who believe that they have a supply of love and compassion and friendliness for others, but there is no demand for their companionship. It is your work as a Christian Science practitioner to help them realize that demand always equals supply. The very fact that they have love and friendliness in their heart proves that there a demand for that love and friendship. When individuals stop malpracticing on their relationships, and realize that there is always a demand for what they have to give, beautiful friendships and companionships unfold which are mutually satisfying.
The salesman can make intelligent use of this idea. You have a product. Mind has provided it. Mind would not provide it if there was not a demand for it. Principle causes demand always to be equal to supply. Mind will enable you to take your product to those who are demanding it. You do not have to use high pressure methods to sell your products. Your customers are just as eager to have your products as you are to sell them. They are demanding them just as you are supplying them.
You, of your abundance are meeting their needs, and they of their abundance are meeting your needs, that there be equality. Principle holds everything in balance.
This idea that demand always equals supply is very important in maintaining a right sense of health. Many a case of illness is the result of thinking that supply and demand aren’t equal. Diabetes, for instance, is a claim that there is a demand for insulin and that the pancreas does not meet that demand with a good supply. A clear recognition that supply and demand are always equal, will help in the cure of diabetes. A claim of ulcers is that there is an over-supply of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which irritates the sidewalls and causes ulcers. Chemically speaking, a certain amount of this acid is required to digest the food and eventually turn it into blood. We can rejoice that the supply and the demand for this acid are equal. The claim of goiter is that the thyroid gland is overactive, that it supplying an abundance of material for which there is no demand. I know a case of goiter that was almost instantly healed when an individual realized that there was an equal demand for the affection that she had to share.
The fact that you have a desire or demand to read, carries with it the fact that there is a supply of ability to read or to see. The fact that you have eyes which are capable of seeing carries with it the demand that there be something worthwhile and beautiful to see. The fact that there are beautiful sounds of music and voice and birds to hear, necessitates the existence of ears which are capable of hearing. God would not provide beautiful sounds with no ears to hear them, or good ears with nothing to hear.
The fact that you have certain duties to perform carries with it the recognition that you have the strength to perform those duties. And the fact that you have strength and power, carries with it the demand that you use that strength and power intelligently to be of help to others. Supply always equals demand, and demand always equals supply, because Principle holds everything in balance.
In our practice of Christian Science, we also want to recognize the fact that no one can ever make a demand upon us without Mind providing the supply to meet that demand. No patient can come to you for help, but what Mind is right there with you giving you the spiritual inspiration that will meet his need. Supply is always equal to demand, just as demand is equal to supply. You are never required to do anything beyond your abilities. The fact that you are asked to perform some task means that you have the ability to do the work and do it well. You may be asked by the members of your church to be their reader. If they make a demand of you Mind will certainly provide you with the ability to meet that demand adequately with inspiring reading.
If your Christian Science teacher asks you to write a yearly paper, Mind will always provide you with the ability to do it, and to turn the paper in on time.
I would certainly encourage all of you to know the truth about supply — to know without reservation that right where you are, right there, infinite Mind is present, and that the infinite Mind is manifesting itself in an abundance of ideas, and that you are that compound idea of God, the full manifestation of Mind. I would not have you neglect to know the truth about supply daily, that the inflow of good might express the infinite Love of your heavenly Father-Mother. But I would also have you do equally good work each day to know that demand always equals supply. And there is always a demand for the talents, abilities and spiritual supplies which God is constantly pouring into your consciousness and experience. Then of course you will have that well-balanced life, where all things are in order, and where everything runs smoothly.
In working for economic stability, both in our nation and in the world, I am sure you see how important it is to again know the truth that demand is always equal to supply. The so-called business depression of 1929 came about not because there was anything wrong with supply. The belief was that people did not have the wherewithal to purchase the things that they were making. Because demand was not seen as equal to supply, there was a crash. And before long supply was likewise depleted in the form of stock market crashes, bankruptcies, receiverships, etc. Since that time many intelligent steps have been taken to assure us that demand will always equal supply.
Today our economy is running at the very highest level. Adequate wages provide the consuming public with enough wherewithal to demand the products that they are making. Government action may have to be taken from time to time to help us assure ourselves of a balanced economy where demand is kept equal to supply. I am sure that through our prayers and good metaphysical work we can help to eliminate the so-called business cycle of boom and bust, by knowing and proving that demand is always equal to supply.
In international affairs, many historians feel that wars are caused by a disruption of supply and demand. We can know that there is a need for every nation as well as every individual. Every nation has an ability, a talent, and a resource which it can supply or share with others; and every nation also has a need for the services and resources of other nations. Paraphrasing Paul’s statement we might say: “For I mean not that other nations be eased and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may also be a supply unto their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality.” The divine Principle, Love, will certainly bring about that equality according to its own law. We can rejoice that this Principle is even now at work, enabling our nation to be of service to other nations, and it is enabling these nations to be of service to us. To hoard the good that has been bestowed on America, is not to make toward world peace. On the other hand, to give abundantly to others, and not expect them to share abundantly with us is a denial of the divine Principle of balance.
We are living in a wonderful age where marvelous things are taking place. We are seeing great economic changes taking place in the world. We are truly witnessing what our Leader speaks about as “Divine Love’s adventure to be All-in-all.” Let us welcome these constructive changes, and rejoice that in individual, national, and international affairs, supply is always equal to demand, and that demand is always equal to supply.
