Chapter VII. Pond And Purpose.

[pg 203]Chapter VII. Pond And Purpose.Beloved Students:—In thanking you for your [1]gift of the pretty pond contributed to Pleasant View,in Concord, New Hampshire, I make no distinction be-tween my students and your students; for here, thinebecomes mine through gratitude and affection. [5]From my tower window, as I look on this smile ofChristian Science, this gift from my students and theirstudents, it will always mirror their love, loyalty, andgood works. Solomon saith,“As in water face answerethto face, so the heart of man to man.”[10]The waters that run among the valleys, and thatyou have coaxed in their course to call on me, haveserved the imagination for centuries. Theology religiouslybathes in water, medicine applies it physically, hydrologyhandles it with so-called science, and metaphysics appro- [15]priates it topically as type and shadow. Metaphysically,baptism serves to rebuke the senses and illustrate ChristianScience.First:The baptism of repentance is indeed a strickenstate of human consciousness, wherein mortals gain [20]severe views of themselves; a state of mind which rendsthe veil that hides mental deformity. Tears flood the eyes,[pg 204]agony struggles, pride rebels, and a mortal seems a [1]monster, a dark, impenetrable cloud of error; and fallingon the bended knee of prayer, humble before God, hecries,“Save, or I perish.”Thus Truth, searching theheart, neutralizes and destroys error. [5]This mental period is sometimes chronic, but ofteneracute. It is attended throughout with doubt, hope, sorrow,joy, defeat, and triumph. When the good fight is fought,error yields up its weapons and kisses the feet of Love,while white-winged peace sings to the heart a song of [10]angels.Second:The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the spiritof Truth cleansing from all sin; giving mortals newmotives, new purposes, new affections, all pointing up-ward. This mental condition settles into strength, free- [15]dom, deep-toned faith in God; and a marked loss of faithin evil, in human wisdom, human policy, ways, and means.It develops individual capacity, increases the intellectualactivities, and so quickens moral sensibility that thegreat demands of spiritual sense are recognized, and they [20]rebuke the material senses, holding sway over humanconsciousness.By purifying human thought, this state of mind per-meates with increased harmony all the minutiae of humanaffairs. It brings with it wonderful foresight, wisdom, [25]and power; it unselfs the mortal purpose, gives steadi-ness to resolve, and success to endeavor. Through theaccession of spirituality, God, the divine Principle ofChristian Science, literally governs the aims, ambition,and acts of the Scientist. The divine ruling gives prudence [30]and energy; it banishes forever all envy, rivalry,evil thinking, evil speaking and acting; and mortal[pg 205]mind, thus purged, obtains peace and power outside of [1]itself.This practical Christian Science is the divine Mind,the incorporeal Truth and Love, shining through the mistsof materiality and melting away the shadows called sin, [5]disease, and death.In mortal experience, the fire of repentance first sepa-rates the dross from the gold, and reformation bringsthe light which dispels darkness. Thus the operationof the spirit of Truth and Love on the human thought, [10]in the words of St. John,“shall take of mine and show itunto you.”Third:The baptism of Spirit, or final immersion ofhuman consciousness in the infinite ocean of Love, is thelast scene in corporeal sense. This omnipotent act drops [15]the curtain on material man and mortality. After this,man's identity or consciousness reflects only Spirit, good,whose visible being is invisible to the physical senses: eyehath not seen it, inasmuch as it is the disembodied in-dividual Spirit-substance and consciousness termed in [20]Christian metaphysics the ideal man—forever permeatedwith eternal life, holiness, heaven. This order of Scienceis the chain of ages, which maintain their obvious corre-spondence, and unites all periods in the divine design.Mortal man's repentance and absolute abandonment of [25]sin finally dissolves all supposed material life or physicalsensation, and the corporeal or mortal man disappearsforever. The encumbering mortal molecules, called man,vanish as a dream; but man born of the great Forever,lives on, God-crowned and blest. [30]Mortals who on the shores of time learn ChristianScience, and live what they learn, take rapid transit to[pg 206]heaven,—the hinge on which have turned all revolu- [1]tions, natural, civil, or religious, the former being servantto the latter,—from flux to permanence, from foul topure, from torpid to serene, from extremes to intermediate.Above the waves of Jordan, dashing against the receding [5]shore, is heard the Father and Mother's welcome, sayingforever to the baptized of Spirit:“This is my belovedSon.”What but divine Science can interpret man'seternal existence, God's allness, and the scientific inde-structibility of the universe? [10]The advancing stages of Christian Science are gainedthrough growth, not accretion; idleness is the foe ofprogress. And scientific growth manifests no weakness,no emasculation, no illusive vision, no dreamy absentness,no insubordination to the laws that be, no loss nor lack [15]of what constitutes true manhood.Growth is governed by intelligence; by the active,all-wise, law-creating, law-disciplining, law-abiding Prin-ciple, God. The real Christian Scientist is constantlyaccentuating harmony in word and deed, mentally and [20]orally, perpetually repeating this diapason of heaven:“Good is my God, and my God is good. Love is my God,and my God is Love.”Beloved students, you have entered the path. Presspatiently on; God is good, and good is the reward of all [25]who diligently seek God. Your growth will be rapid, ifyou love good supremely, and understand and obey theWay-shower, who, going before you, has scaled the steepascent of Christian Science, stands upon the mount ofholiness, the dwelling-place of our God, and bathes in the [30]baptismal font of eternal Love.As you journey, and betimes sigh for rest“beside the[pg 207]still waters,”ponder this lesson of love. Learn its pur- [1]pose;and in hope and faith, where heart meets heartreciprocally blest, drink with me the living waters of thespirit of my life-purpose,—to impress humanity withthe genuine recognition of practical, operative Christian [5]Science.[pg 208]

Chapter VII. Pond And Purpose.Beloved Students:—In thanking you for your [1]gift of the pretty pond contributed to Pleasant View,in Concord, New Hampshire, I make no distinction be-tween my students and your students; for here, thinebecomes mine through gratitude and affection. [5]From my tower window, as I look on this smile ofChristian Science, this gift from my students and theirstudents, it will always mirror their love, loyalty, andgood works. Solomon saith,“As in water face answerethto face, so the heart of man to man.”[10]The waters that run among the valleys, and thatyou have coaxed in their course to call on me, haveserved the imagination for centuries. Theology religiouslybathes in water, medicine applies it physically, hydrologyhandles it with so-called science, and metaphysics appro- [15]priates it topically as type and shadow. Metaphysically,baptism serves to rebuke the senses and illustrate ChristianScience.First:The baptism of repentance is indeed a strickenstate of human consciousness, wherein mortals gain [20]severe views of themselves; a state of mind which rendsthe veil that hides mental deformity. Tears flood the eyes,[pg 204]agony struggles, pride rebels, and a mortal seems a [1]monster, a dark, impenetrable cloud of error; and fallingon the bended knee of prayer, humble before God, hecries,“Save, or I perish.”Thus Truth, searching theheart, neutralizes and destroys error. [5]This mental period is sometimes chronic, but ofteneracute. It is attended throughout with doubt, hope, sorrow,joy, defeat, and triumph. When the good fight is fought,error yields up its weapons and kisses the feet of Love,while white-winged peace sings to the heart a song of [10]angels.Second:The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the spiritof Truth cleansing from all sin; giving mortals newmotives, new purposes, new affections, all pointing up-ward. This mental condition settles into strength, free- [15]dom, deep-toned faith in God; and a marked loss of faithin evil, in human wisdom, human policy, ways, and means.It develops individual capacity, increases the intellectualactivities, and so quickens moral sensibility that thegreat demands of spiritual sense are recognized, and they [20]rebuke the material senses, holding sway over humanconsciousness.By purifying human thought, this state of mind per-meates with increased harmony all the minutiae of humanaffairs. It brings with it wonderful foresight, wisdom, [25]and power; it unselfs the mortal purpose, gives steadi-ness to resolve, and success to endeavor. Through theaccession of spirituality, God, the divine Principle ofChristian Science, literally governs the aims, ambition,and acts of the Scientist. The divine ruling gives prudence [30]and energy; it banishes forever all envy, rivalry,evil thinking, evil speaking and acting; and mortal[pg 205]mind, thus purged, obtains peace and power outside of [1]itself.This practical Christian Science is the divine Mind,the incorporeal Truth and Love, shining through the mistsof materiality and melting away the shadows called sin, [5]disease, and death.In mortal experience, the fire of repentance first sepa-rates the dross from the gold, and reformation bringsthe light which dispels darkness. Thus the operationof the spirit of Truth and Love on the human thought, [10]in the words of St. John,“shall take of mine and show itunto you.”Third:The baptism of Spirit, or final immersion ofhuman consciousness in the infinite ocean of Love, is thelast scene in corporeal sense. This omnipotent act drops [15]the curtain on material man and mortality. After this,man's identity or consciousness reflects only Spirit, good,whose visible being is invisible to the physical senses: eyehath not seen it, inasmuch as it is the disembodied in-dividual Spirit-substance and consciousness termed in [20]Christian metaphysics the ideal man—forever permeatedwith eternal life, holiness, heaven. This order of Scienceis the chain of ages, which maintain their obvious corre-spondence, and unites all periods in the divine design.Mortal man's repentance and absolute abandonment of [25]sin finally dissolves all supposed material life or physicalsensation, and the corporeal or mortal man disappearsforever. The encumbering mortal molecules, called man,vanish as a dream; but man born of the great Forever,lives on, God-crowned and blest. [30]Mortals who on the shores of time learn ChristianScience, and live what they learn, take rapid transit to[pg 206]heaven,—the hinge on which have turned all revolu- [1]tions, natural, civil, or religious, the former being servantto the latter,—from flux to permanence, from foul topure, from torpid to serene, from extremes to intermediate.Above the waves of Jordan, dashing against the receding [5]shore, is heard the Father and Mother's welcome, sayingforever to the baptized of Spirit:“This is my belovedSon.”What but divine Science can interpret man'seternal existence, God's allness, and the scientific inde-structibility of the universe? [10]The advancing stages of Christian Science are gainedthrough growth, not accretion; idleness is the foe ofprogress. And scientific growth manifests no weakness,no emasculation, no illusive vision, no dreamy absentness,no insubordination to the laws that be, no loss nor lack [15]of what constitutes true manhood.Growth is governed by intelligence; by the active,all-wise, law-creating, law-disciplining, law-abiding Prin-ciple, God. The real Christian Scientist is constantlyaccentuating harmony in word and deed, mentally and [20]orally, perpetually repeating this diapason of heaven:“Good is my God, and my God is good. Love is my God,and my God is Love.”Beloved students, you have entered the path. Presspatiently on; God is good, and good is the reward of all [25]who diligently seek God. Your growth will be rapid, ifyou love good supremely, and understand and obey theWay-shower, who, going before you, has scaled the steepascent of Christian Science, stands upon the mount ofholiness, the dwelling-place of our God, and bathes in the [30]baptismal font of eternal Love.As you journey, and betimes sigh for rest“beside the[pg 207]still waters,”ponder this lesson of love. Learn its pur- [1]pose;and in hope and faith, where heart meets heartreciprocally blest, drink with me the living waters of thespirit of my life-purpose,—to impress humanity withthe genuine recognition of practical, operative Christian [5]Science.

Beloved Students:—In thanking you for your [1]gift of the pretty pond contributed to Pleasant View,in Concord, New Hampshire, I make no distinction be-tween my students and your students; for here, thinebecomes mine through gratitude and affection. [5]

Beloved Students:—In thanking you for your [1]

gift of the pretty pond contributed to Pleasant View,

in Concord, New Hampshire, I make no distinction be-

tween my students and your students; for here, thine

becomes mine through gratitude and affection. [5]

From my tower window, as I look on this smile ofChristian Science, this gift from my students and theirstudents, it will always mirror their love, loyalty, andgood works. Solomon saith,“As in water face answerethto face, so the heart of man to man.”[10]

From my tower window, as I look on this smile of

Christian Science, this gift from my students and their

students, it will always mirror their love, loyalty, and

good works. Solomon saith,“As in water face answereth

to face, so the heart of man to man.”[10]

The waters that run among the valleys, and thatyou have coaxed in their course to call on me, haveserved the imagination for centuries. Theology religiouslybathes in water, medicine applies it physically, hydrologyhandles it with so-called science, and metaphysics appro- [15]priates it topically as type and shadow. Metaphysically,baptism serves to rebuke the senses and illustrate ChristianScience.

The waters that run among the valleys, and that

you have coaxed in their course to call on me, have

served the imagination for centuries. Theology religiously

bathes in water, medicine applies it physically, hydrology

handles it with so-called science, and metaphysics appro- [15]

priates it topically as type and shadow. Metaphysically,

baptism serves to rebuke the senses and illustrate Christian

Science.

First:The baptism of repentance is indeed a strickenstate of human consciousness, wherein mortals gain [20]severe views of themselves; a state of mind which rendsthe veil that hides mental deformity. Tears flood the eyes,

First:The baptism of repentance is indeed a stricken

state of human consciousness, wherein mortals gain [20]

severe views of themselves; a state of mind which rends

the veil that hides mental deformity. Tears flood the eyes,

agony struggles, pride rebels, and a mortal seems a [1]monster, a dark, impenetrable cloud of error; and fallingon the bended knee of prayer, humble before God, hecries,“Save, or I perish.”Thus Truth, searching theheart, neutralizes and destroys error. [5]

agony struggles, pride rebels, and a mortal seems a [1]

monster, a dark, impenetrable cloud of error; and falling

on the bended knee of prayer, humble before God, he

cries,“Save, or I perish.”Thus Truth, searching the

heart, neutralizes and destroys error. [5]

This mental period is sometimes chronic, but ofteneracute. It is attended throughout with doubt, hope, sorrow,joy, defeat, and triumph. When the good fight is fought,error yields up its weapons and kisses the feet of Love,while white-winged peace sings to the heart a song of [10]angels.

This mental period is sometimes chronic, but oftener

acute. It is attended throughout with doubt, hope, sorrow,

joy, defeat, and triumph. When the good fight is fought,

error yields up its weapons and kisses the feet of Love,

while white-winged peace sings to the heart a song of [10]

angels.

Second:The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the spiritof Truth cleansing from all sin; giving mortals newmotives, new purposes, new affections, all pointing up-ward. This mental condition settles into strength, free- [15]dom, deep-toned faith in God; and a marked loss of faithin evil, in human wisdom, human policy, ways, and means.It develops individual capacity, increases the intellectualactivities, and so quickens moral sensibility that thegreat demands of spiritual sense are recognized, and they [20]rebuke the material senses, holding sway over humanconsciousness.

Second:The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the spirit

of Truth cleansing from all sin; giving mortals new

motives, new purposes, new affections, all pointing up-

ward. This mental condition settles into strength, free- [15]

dom, deep-toned faith in God; and a marked loss of faith

in evil, in human wisdom, human policy, ways, and means.

It develops individual capacity, increases the intellectual

activities, and so quickens moral sensibility that the

great demands of spiritual sense are recognized, and they [20]

rebuke the material senses, holding sway over human

consciousness.

By purifying human thought, this state of mind per-meates with increased harmony all the minutiae of humanaffairs. It brings with it wonderful foresight, wisdom, [25]and power; it unselfs the mortal purpose, gives steadi-ness to resolve, and success to endeavor. Through theaccession of spirituality, God, the divine Principle ofChristian Science, literally governs the aims, ambition,and acts of the Scientist. The divine ruling gives prudence [30]and energy; it banishes forever all envy, rivalry,evil thinking, evil speaking and acting; and mortal

By purifying human thought, this state of mind per-

meates with increased harmony all the minutiae of human

affairs. It brings with it wonderful foresight, wisdom, [25]

and power; it unselfs the mortal purpose, gives steadi-

ness to resolve, and success to endeavor. Through the

accession of spirituality, God, the divine Principle of

Christian Science, literally governs the aims, ambition,

and acts of the Scientist. The divine ruling gives prudence [30]

and energy; it banishes forever all envy, rivalry,

evil thinking, evil speaking and acting; and mortal

mind, thus purged, obtains peace and power outside of [1]itself.

mind, thus purged, obtains peace and power outside of [1]

itself.

This practical Christian Science is the divine Mind,the incorporeal Truth and Love, shining through the mistsof materiality and melting away the shadows called sin, [5]disease, and death.

This practical Christian Science is the divine Mind,

the incorporeal Truth and Love, shining through the mists

of materiality and melting away the shadows called sin, [5]

disease, and death.

In mortal experience, the fire of repentance first sepa-rates the dross from the gold, and reformation bringsthe light which dispels darkness. Thus the operationof the spirit of Truth and Love on the human thought, [10]in the words of St. John,“shall take of mine and show itunto you.”

In mortal experience, the fire of repentance first sepa-

rates the dross from the gold, and reformation brings

the light which dispels darkness. Thus the operation

of the spirit of Truth and Love on the human thought, [10]

in the words of St. John,“shall take of mine and show it

unto you.”

Third:The baptism of Spirit, or final immersion ofhuman consciousness in the infinite ocean of Love, is thelast scene in corporeal sense. This omnipotent act drops [15]the curtain on material man and mortality. After this,man's identity or consciousness reflects only Spirit, good,whose visible being is invisible to the physical senses: eyehath not seen it, inasmuch as it is the disembodied in-dividual Spirit-substance and consciousness termed in [20]Christian metaphysics the ideal man—forever permeatedwith eternal life, holiness, heaven. This order of Scienceis the chain of ages, which maintain their obvious corre-spondence, and unites all periods in the divine design.Mortal man's repentance and absolute abandonment of [25]sin finally dissolves all supposed material life or physicalsensation, and the corporeal or mortal man disappearsforever. The encumbering mortal molecules, called man,vanish as a dream; but man born of the great Forever,lives on, God-crowned and blest. [30]

Third:The baptism of Spirit, or final immersion of

human consciousness in the infinite ocean of Love, is the

last scene in corporeal sense. This omnipotent act drops [15]

the curtain on material man and mortality. After this,

man's identity or consciousness reflects only Spirit, good,

whose visible being is invisible to the physical senses: eye

hath not seen it, inasmuch as it is the disembodied in-

dividual Spirit-substance and consciousness termed in [20]

Christian metaphysics the ideal man—forever permeated

with eternal life, holiness, heaven. This order of Science

is the chain of ages, which maintain their obvious corre-

spondence, and unites all periods in the divine design.

Mortal man's repentance and absolute abandonment of [25]

sin finally dissolves all supposed material life or physical

sensation, and the corporeal or mortal man disappears

forever. The encumbering mortal molecules, called man,

vanish as a dream; but man born of the great Forever,

lives on, God-crowned and blest. [30]

Mortals who on the shores of time learn ChristianScience, and live what they learn, take rapid transit to

Mortals who on the shores of time learn Christian

Science, and live what they learn, take rapid transit to

heaven,—the hinge on which have turned all revolu- [1]tions, natural, civil, or religious, the former being servantto the latter,—from flux to permanence, from foul topure, from torpid to serene, from extremes to intermediate.Above the waves of Jordan, dashing against the receding [5]shore, is heard the Father and Mother's welcome, sayingforever to the baptized of Spirit:“This is my belovedSon.”What but divine Science can interpret man'seternal existence, God's allness, and the scientific inde-structibility of the universe? [10]

heaven,—the hinge on which have turned all revolu- [1]

tions, natural, civil, or religious, the former being servant

to the latter,—from flux to permanence, from foul to

pure, from torpid to serene, from extremes to intermediate.

Above the waves of Jordan, dashing against the receding [5]

shore, is heard the Father and Mother's welcome, saying

forever to the baptized of Spirit:“This is my beloved

Son.”What but divine Science can interpret man's

eternal existence, God's allness, and the scientific inde-

structibility of the universe? [10]

The advancing stages of Christian Science are gainedthrough growth, not accretion; idleness is the foe ofprogress. And scientific growth manifests no weakness,no emasculation, no illusive vision, no dreamy absentness,no insubordination to the laws that be, no loss nor lack [15]of what constitutes true manhood.

The advancing stages of Christian Science are gained

through growth, not accretion; idleness is the foe of

progress. And scientific growth manifests no weakness,

no emasculation, no illusive vision, no dreamy absentness,

no insubordination to the laws that be, no loss nor lack [15]

of what constitutes true manhood.

Growth is governed by intelligence; by the active,all-wise, law-creating, law-disciplining, law-abiding Prin-ciple, God. The real Christian Scientist is constantlyaccentuating harmony in word and deed, mentally and [20]orally, perpetually repeating this diapason of heaven:“Good is my God, and my God is good. Love is my God,and my God is Love.”

Growth is governed by intelligence; by the active,

all-wise, law-creating, law-disciplining, law-abiding Prin-

ciple, God. The real Christian Scientist is constantly

accentuating harmony in word and deed, mentally and [20]

orally, perpetually repeating this diapason of heaven:

“Good is my God, and my God is good. Love is my God,

and my God is Love.”

Beloved students, you have entered the path. Presspatiently on; God is good, and good is the reward of all [25]who diligently seek God. Your growth will be rapid, ifyou love good supremely, and understand and obey theWay-shower, who, going before you, has scaled the steepascent of Christian Science, stands upon the mount ofholiness, the dwelling-place of our God, and bathes in the [30]baptismal font of eternal Love.

Beloved students, you have entered the path. Press

patiently on; God is good, and good is the reward of all [25]

who diligently seek God. Your growth will be rapid, if

you love good supremely, and understand and obey the

Way-shower, who, going before you, has scaled the steep

ascent of Christian Science, stands upon the mount of

holiness, the dwelling-place of our God, and bathes in the [30]

baptismal font of eternal Love.

As you journey, and betimes sigh for rest“beside the

still waters,”ponder this lesson of love. Learn its pur- [1]pose;and in hope and faith, where heart meets heartreciprocally blest, drink with me the living waters of thespirit of my life-purpose,—to impress humanity withthe genuine recognition of practical, operative Christian [5]Science.

still waters,”ponder this lesson of love. Learn its pur- [1]

pose;and in hope and faith, where heart meets heart

reciprocally blest, drink with me the living waters of the

spirit of my life-purpose,—to impress humanity with

the genuine recognition of practical, operative Christian [5]

Science.

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