Milford chronicle., 1962-06-01

After becoming student of
Christian Science | discontinued
playing the game of bridge for
money. At first some of my
friends thought | wouldn't be
able to stick to my resolve. |
pointed to the unfailing certainty
of a true idea. | had already
learned through Christian Sci
ence the infinite power of God to
increase good in human expert
ence. Our Master likened the
multiplying power of Gods ideas
to seeds which when planted
bring forth fruit, some an hum
dredfold, some sixtyfold. some
thirtyfold" (Matt. 13:8) Chris
tian Science had proved this true
in my business activities. | then
lost all interest in games of
chance in which one mans gain
is another mans loss. Many have
seen the false belief that pleas
ure is to be found in wagering
on horse racing or football and
baseball games vanish when they
have yielded to Gods unerring
direction.
Effective Prayer
Prayer in Christian Science is
the spiritual knowing that man
is not ruled or motivated by
anything less than divine Love.
Many people ask, "Are my
prayers truly effective?" The
answer is that to be effective
prayer must lift thought to spir-
itual understanding. This reveals
mans true consciousness as the
actual expression of divine Mind.
Then thought is energized by an
inner conviction of the presence
and power of unfailing Love. In
the light of spiritual understand
ing we can look beyond the fable
and see the fact, look beyond the
mortal and see the immortal.
Whatever is seen in this light
manifests Gods unfailing heal
ing power.
Another facet of effective
prayer is gratitude. Often a SIM
pie statement of spiritual thanks
for Gods goodness enlightens
thought and faith rises into spir-
itual understanding. Gratitude
brings clearer views of Gods
man and Gods universe. When
ever our thoughts are filled with
spiritual love and gratitude, they
receive directly the power of di-
vine Love. Mrs. Eddy writes
(The First Church of Christ, Sci
enlist, and Miscellany. p. 164):
"What is gratitude but a power
full camera obscurd, a thing fo-
cusing light where love, memory,
and all within the human heart
is present to manifest light"
Man Dwells in\Love
The Bible tells us that man
dwells in Love. Christian Sci
ence reveals to us that we are
encircled by Love, buoyed by
the purpose and nature of Gods
ideas to declare His glory. When
we turn to God His unfailing
power surrounds and supports us
as well as our right activities.
John writes (I John 4:12), eff we
love one another, God dwelleth
in us, and his love is perfected
in u.s."
Divine Principle, Love, creates,
impels, and sustains us in our
mission of bringing Immortality
to light and establishing mans
God-given dominion over all the
earth. As we spiritually conceive,
obey, and fulfill our Christly
mission, we help bring to man
kind the truth that the real man
is the conscious expression of
Truth and Love. Today as never
before the forces of evil are ag-
gressive in their claims that
Christianity is failing in both its
power and its divine purpose.
Christianity, however, is never
going to fail. 1t is material
worldly thinking that is failing.
1t is passing as spiritually en-
lightened consciousness is ac-
cepted. Our Master, Christ Jesus,
said (Matt. 24:35), Heaven and
earth shall pass away, but my
words shall not pass away" The
Church of Christ, Scientist, The
Mother Church with its globe
encircling branches, is bringing
to humanity through its open
and far-reaching arms the heal
ing power of Gods unfailing
love. 1t is bringing to humanity
the glory of God. which the
Bible promises shall cover the
earth as the waters cover the sea.
All of us can be free from
mortal failure. We can demon
strate in every activity our do
minion as the children of divine
Love. The basis for doing this
is indicated in these lines from
one of Mrs Eddy's poems (Mis-
cellaneous Writings, p. 389):
Love is our refuge; only with
mine eye
Can | behold the snare, the pit,
the fall:
His habitation high is here, and
nigh.
His arm encircleS me- and mine