Divine Science Its
Principle and Practice
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Copyright 1957 by Divine
Science Church and College
Denver, Colorado
Made available here
by the ministry of
Rev. Lawrence C. Terry, M.Msc.,
D.Min.
P. O. Box 68324
Indianapolis, IN 46268-0324
www.DivineScience.net
Chapter 4 - Story of
Progress
Since the dawn of consciousness in the
race, man has thought. He has thought
spontaneously with little regard to the
type of thought, and with practically no
knowledge of the fact that he could and
should control his thinking. Man has free
will in his thinking; from boyhood he has
been influenced by the world around him.
Quite naturally he has based his
decisions upon appearances and formed his
opinions through observation of the outer
as it has registered upon his
consciousness through the senses. In its
immaturity man’s thinking has been
centered on the world of conditions about
him. He has emphasized negative
conditions; illness, accident, disaster,
war, sorrow, etc., and as a result he is
living in a world filled with such
experiences.
Gradually during the progress of
man’s slow growth through the ages,
individuals here and there have
discovered that thought is of great
importance; that it is a determining
factor in making man’s outer world;
that it is a ready too for improving his
affairs. In this day many more are
learning the value of the practical laws
of right thinking. As a deep conviction
of the truths which have been given in
the preceding chapters comes the student,
he, too, will be ready for a complete
change in thought.
Divine Science is an organized study
designed to bring the student to a
realization that all the richness of God
belongs to man and that by training his
thinking into new habits he may avail
himself of that which is awaiting his
use.
Chapter
4
Thought
Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are
just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report . . . . think
on these things. Phil.4:8
Questions to Alert
Your Thinking
1. What is the basis of
reasoning in Divine Science?
2. How may we open our
mentality to light and truth?
3. What is man’s
responsibility in his everyday
thinking?
4. What is a necessary
step if we desire to change our
conditions and affairs?
5. What will the
recognition of an ever-present God do
for the individual?
Thought is the instrument of the
creative power of Mind and is the cause
of word and deed. To think is proof
that I am. I am, therefore I think.
There cannot be a thought without a
thinker. Since thought is used as the
basis on which to form conclusions, and
conclusions to form words and shape our
deeds, it is evident that our thoughts
and affirmations must be at one with
God and His attributes, no matter what
appearances may indicate. Thinking is
not a cause of growth but a means of
growth; the impelling power is in
Mind.
All external conditions are the results
of our thoughts, beliefs, and
decisions. The thoughts and beliefs
upon which we rely and dwell bring us
our experiences of either pleasure or
pain, light or shadow. It is our own
mental conduct and recognition that
makes conditions either pleasant or
unpleasant. "Every man shall bear his
own burden." Gal. 6:5 Would we
externalize love, our thoughts must be
filled with love. Would we enjoy
harmonious conditions, we must believe
in harmony. To the pure in thought all
things are pure, and to goodness all
things are good.
The time has come when we are ready for
a complete change of thought and a deep
conviction of Truth. We, as students,
must move out of the mists of illusive
belief and be thoroughly willing to be
established in knowledge and faith.
Giving up false concepts opens the way
for the incoming of light and truth.
The greatest need of humanity is a
knowledge of Truth with its certainty
and unwavering faith in the All as
Good; a consciousness of how to find
and demonstrate health, happiness, and
success; and to realize peace and enjoy
rest. Recognition of the ever-present
Good is the means by which all this is
to be realized and enjoyed.
Divine Science teaches the value of
having a basis of truth from which to
think and reason. This teaching is a
science because it presents an exact
knowledge of life. The basis of
reasoning in Divine Science is the
omnipresence of God. God is
omnipresent, the one and only Presence
everywhere. God-Mind includes you and
me. It includes everything in the
perfect harmony of God-Substance,
God-Intelligence, God-Life, and
God-Power. It includes my body within
God-Perfection. It includes all times
and places, all circumstances, events,
plans, and purposes within God.
God, the Creator
God, the Creative Actions
God, the Creation
God, "All in all."
After admitting the omnipresence of God
what should we do with it? We should
begin at once to put into practice the
type of thinking which is harmonious
with this Truth. When we study music,
we begin practicing as once, and in
anything we undertake to learn, we
expect to set aside time every day for
practice. Just as surely must we put
into practice whatever of Truth we have
seen, if we wish to see more and more
of Truth and to enjoy the experiences
of desirable Good. We can realize the
Good in which we live only by loving
acknowledgment of it in our own
individual lives and ways. The
understanding that Truth heals and
makes free from error is of no value
unless it be practiced. Forming new
habits of thinking requires practice
but is essential. See the truth and the
value of the new way of thinking, we
are able to persist without
discouragement even though conditions
do not at once seem transformed. It
follows that an essential thing in the
beginning of our work is that of
changing the basis of thought from
observation to Principle. This change
of basis, a yield of our varied
opinions to the One Changeless and
Infinite Good, changes all
conditions.
Divine Science transfers the attention
from the visible to the Invisible and
thus gives us a new and correct basis
for our thinking. We become conscious
of being unlimited Spirit. We live in
the fullness of Spirit, the Kingdom of
Unity. We claim health, power,
knowledge, and all good; claim our
wholeness complete in infinite Good. As
we do this, we enjoy the Good, and have
peace and rest. Since the living God is
around us, above us, and through us
all, we are protected and shielded by
the perfect Good at all times.
If we form the perfect idea of divine
humanity, perceiving all as One,
knowing that there is nothing lacking
morally, mentally, or spiritually, we
shall manifest power over external
conditions and reveal more and more of
the life which we live until we express
harmony divine. There is no standard
but God, hence, whatever He is should
be our guide for thought, word, and
act. We know that He is Life, Love and
Power, Knowledge, Health, Perfection,
Success, and all that we can conceive
to be good. To be free from experiences
contrary to this Good we must think in
accordance with these inherent
attributes. "Whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report . . . think on these things."
Phil. 4:8
"And God said, Let us make man in our
image, after our likeness." Gen. 1:26
He plants the living soul, a perfect
seed, in man and tells him to "dress
and keep this seed"; he is to watch and
cultivate the right thought of himself.
Thinking is the method of cultivation,
for by thinking man’s mentality
is kept alive to Truth. As he
persistently thinks on this
declaration, realization of the true
state of things becomes more and more
clear to him. Eventually we shall
understand that it is a law as fixed as
the eternal principle of mathematics,
that as men and women think in their
hearts (in the depths of their
God-Self), so do they become aware of
their true possibilities.
Train yourself to think: "I do not
judge of what I am by what I feel, but
I direct my feelings by what I know I
am." This is scientific; it is
knowledge duly arranged. This is the
method and the only method by which to
control thought and express our highest
concept of perfection. Systematically
train your thinking in Truth’s
way. There is but one Way, one Truth,
and one Life; find it and abides in it.
Affirm over and over again the eternal
principles that Truth reveals.
Recognize that these are verities of
your own being or Life. Accept this new
revelation. Awaken! Listen! Think and
speak by its light. Be positive, be
firm and unwavering and consciousness
of Truth will be your reward. Every
hour in the day, yes, every moment be
on your guard to admit only perfect
good and affirm the love presence in
everything. This is man’s
responsibility; let him recognize it
faithfully; let him systematically
practice thinking of this perfect Being
that is the nature of Love, Purity,
Peace, and Health. Recognize that this
is your Being – your Nature. When
you say "I am," know this "I" is your
identity in God. This "I" of which you
speak is immortal. Know that you are an
eternal idea in the mind of God:
changeless, harmonious, strong in
thought and body, loving, living,
trusting, resting in the freedom and
fullness of perfect life.
By thoughtfully making the above
statements and using them each day for
a time, habits of thinking will be
formed that will gradually bring a
sense of peace. Moment by moment you
live and moment by moment you think.
Conform every thought to the
consciousness of Divine Presence;
declare it to the exclusion of all
else. Accept the Whole Being, then will
your thinking and speaking change. If
your thinking is optimistic,
constructive, right, and your doing is
consistent with it, you will find each
day an opportunity for development, for
you will be proving that you understand
the power of thought.
Questions for
Review and Discussion
1. Discuss your reactions as you tried
to form the perfect idea of divine
humanity.
2. Does a mother who thinks and
talks disease and dreads lest her
family be attacked by disease open the
door to these very conditions?
3. Explain: "The fear of man bringeth a
snare; but whoso putteth his trust in
the Lord shall be safe." Prov.
29:25
4. Which statement is correct?
- I make myself what I am by my
thoughts.
- My experiences in life are determined
by my thoughts.
5. Discuss the discipline and training
you are giving your thinking.
Chapter 5
* * * * *
Divine Science - Its
Principle and Practice from the writings
of Nona Brooks and Malinda
Cramer
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