Vision

The topic of vision can lead in many directions, yet my focus today is vision that blesses mankind through the practice of Christian Science.

Over the years, I’ve read a number of accounts and biographies of Mary Baker Eddy, as well as all her published writings. I’ve learned Mrs. Eddy spent a tremendous amount of her waking hours studying or pondering the Holy Scriptures – often before starting her day and making decisions.  Like prophets of old, she had spiritual vision through knowing and listening to God.  She delved deeply into the things of the Spirit.  She prayed daily for others.  Her vision, obedience and perseverance led to writing a number of books, including her principal work Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.  During the period of 1875 to 1910, among her many good works, she also founded a church, a college, a publishing company and an international newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor.  Her visionary directive and the inclusion of a bylaw, “Christian Science Nurse” in the Church Manual, led to the establishment of Christian Science nursing as fundamental to a worldwide movement (p. 49).  And, of course this vision led to Christian Science nursing organizations such as Wide Horizon.

Mrs. Eddy strove to emulate Christ Jesus, the “Way-shower,” both in her thought and actions.  In her writings, she repeatedly reminds her readers to follow Christ in word and deed.  Thankfully, through her writings and sermons, she shared much of her spiritually inspired thought with the world.  In the spirit of sharing good ideas, here are only a few of these inspired thoughts or her vision about divine Love, Mind, the holy Spirit.

In an article titled “TRUTH-HEALING,” she wrote, “Pure Mind gives out an atmosphere that heals and saves.”  (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 260)

Later in a message to members of The Mother Church in Boston, Massachusetts, Mrs. Eddy stated, “The loyal Christian Scientists absolutely adopt Webster’s definition of God, ‘A Supreme Being,’ and the Standard dictionary’s definition of God, ‘The one Supreme Being, self-existent and eternal.’ Also, we accept God, emphatically, in the higher definition derived from the Bible, and this accords with the literal sense of the lexicons: ‘God is Spirit,’ ‘God is Love.’ Then, to define Love in divine Science we use this phrase for God — divine Principle. By this we mean Mind, a permanent, fundamental, intelligent, divine Being, called in Scripture, Spirit, Love.”  (Message for 1901, p.3)

And as part of the Christian Science platform, she wrote, “Spirit is divine Principle, and divine Principle is Love, and Love is Mind, and Mind is not both good and bad, for God is Mind; therefore there is in reality one Mind only, because there is one God.” (Science & Health, p. 330)

Ultimately, I feel Mrs. Eddy’s vision was based first and foremost on love for and obedience to God, Spirit, as well as a deep fondness of Scripture and selfless love for mankind.

Lastly, perhaps you’ll find this poem by Kate M. Dickerson inspiring too:

God is Spirit

Gentle Spirit, this I see—
Justice, mercy, dwell with Thee,
In Thy presence, From above
Is our comfort, peace, and love;
And Thy tender, loving care
Comes through daily earnest prayer,
Till the vision, pure and bright,
Fills our hearts with God’s daylight.

Christian Science Sentinel NOVEMBER 29, 1930

https://sentinel.christianscience.com/issues/1930/11/33-13/god-is-spirit

D. Brian Boettiger