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

Over the past 18 years, I’ve participated in multiple discussions about “vision” in organizations. And, I’ve accumulated a lot of documents regarding vision in all its aspects and meaning. Some are compilations of thoughts and words from various folks. One of those collected pieces that pertains to Wide Horizon is as follows:

We envision Wide Horizon as providing a peaceful place and harmonious atmosphere, wherein the ministry of Christian Science nursing is available to every sincere seeker of Truth.

We envision Christian Science nursing’s metaphysically based care be given to those who desire to make daily spiritual progress toward a full healing and recovery through complete reliance upon Christian Science. 

We envision that the collective daily prayers of every one of our guests, family members, friends, practitioners, staff, board members, and volunteers will have an expectation of healing, and that this expectation will be realized in daily experience for all doing this good work. 

We envision, in accord with the words on the cover of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, we shall witness daily proofs that Christian Science can “Cleanse the Lepers, Heal the Sick, Raise the Dead, Cast out Demons.” 

We envision these blessings of God’s presence and power – of divine Love’s grace and healing touch – are the light on the hill which will draw all who are seeking a fuller understanding of and trust in God.

We have been inspired by Mrs. Eddy’s definition of CHURCH (Science and Health, p. 583):

“The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle. The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick.”

Thus, we envision Wide Horizon to continue in its active practice of the Science which elevates and rouses individual and collective thought as well as the thought of our community and of those we serve “…to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick.”   We are committed to this spiritual concept of Church, and this commitment has been made by the dedicated Christian Science nurses, the administrative staff, and Board of Directors.

Wide Horizon’s purpose and mission is designed to help meet the human needs of many dedicated Christian Scientists in a large geographic area of the western United States.  Therefore, our vision is that Wide Horizon will actively provide Christian Science nursing services in support of Christian scientific spiritual healing as long as it is needed.

We envision, we desire to see Wide Horizon as a beacon set on a hill which shines the light of Christ for all mankind.

D. Brian Boettiger

Last week’s blog on “Love” led me again to focus on “compassion” and the words and works of Christ Jesus. The Gospels repeatedly indicate that Jesus “moved with compassion toward them” – towards those he fed, preached to, taught, restored and healed. This is holy work. All mankind can join and move in this work. Moving toward other human beings with compassion is true Christianity.

A poem by Louisa Mary Coade from the Christian Science Sentinel (March 28, 1936) captures an essential aspect of this compassion which blesses human activity and interaction.

True Compassion
By Louisa Mary Coade

Wrap around thy brother the mantle of compassion;
See him pure and holy as thou thyself wouldst be;
By the Golden Rule of love the Master taught us, fashion
All thy thought and speech and acts until thou set him free.

The Gospels clearly show Jesus Christ loved God and his fellow man. His love, his compassion was greater than any hatred, any iniquity. This love healed. And, clearly centuries after Jesus walked on earth, I believe the world continues to hunger and thirst for such compassion and love for all mankind. True compassion and love are so vital to healing of sin and sickness, to being truly affectionate and empathetic one to another.

Mary Baker Eddy, the discover of Christian Science, wrote, “Let us open our affections to the Principle that moves all in harmony—from the falling of a sparrow to the rolling of a world” (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 174).

When I think of our beloved country and beautiful planet, I have mentally struggled at times to feel love and peace will prevail. Yet I know the desire for and practice of love does make a difference. So, in my small role as I strive to lead the organization of Wide Horizon with active compassion, I do witness how individual and collective prayer and compassion supports the work of Christian Science nursing. I see Wide Horizon as a spiritual house and workplace – one acknowledges and expresses compassion and understanding, harmony and health, renewal and restoration, well-being and wholeness, and so on. Thus, dear readers of Wide Horizon’s field and community, our good works here can be fully appreciated and valued by each of us as we truly value and support the activity of Christian Science nursing. In fact, the more each of us moves with true compassion towards all mankind, dispelling darkness in the light of Christ, the more I am convinced love and peace will prevail.

D. Brian Boettiger