The question of delay, and God's mercy

The question of delay is often a troubling one. Why is my problem continuing for so long? What is the delay?

Simonsen responds "You may be certain it is for some good purpose" (p. 263) That purpose, he writes, is most likely in order to "have you honestly examine yourself and see your own mental condition so that you may realize what a brood of vipers you are still harbouring - consciously or unconsciously, - such as fear, doubt, impatience, fretfulness, peevishness, bitterness, or resentment because things do not work out in your way." 

He also suggests that the problem may be one of insincerity of desire to have God's will done; it may be to teach patience; or it may be a question of selfishness, or pride, or "counting on the financial reward" (p. 266), or any of a number of other unhappy traits. 

The way forward here is "to put his finger on his lips, enter into his closet alone with God, and permit God to reveal...what is the first and most important thing for him to do: then do it immediately..." (p. 265). "...the gentle leading of Spirit...fills one's consciousness with peace, assurance, and a confidence that he is moving according to Principle" (p. 267).

With wonderful assurance, Simonsen writes that "God's mercy does not consist in overlooking [man's] sins, but...God lovingly bears with him and extends unto man an ever available opportunity to truly repent and correct his mistakes, his false and erroneous beliefs..." (p. 272). 

Finally, some reminders:

1. God requires one step at a time (p. 273).
2. God requires honesty (p. 273). 
3. God cares for the minutest details (p. 273-4) - see the story of manna feeding the children of Israel day by day.
4. Seek a true understanding of God (p. 275) - read Solomon's story.
5. Rely on God alone (p. 278).

Julie Swannell

Strict demands; sure rewards

A good teacher will introduce the student to all the rules in order that he/she may achieve a fine result. Simonsen does just that.

No need to "steady the Ark" (pp. 237-242)
Simonsen issues a word of warning in regard to "counting our chickens before they hatch". He stresses that one should never count on anything but God to meet our every need. This would include believing that our supply emanates from a salary, a promise, a predicted sale, an expected gift or inheritance, a benefactor, accrued interest, or any material source, and then planning its consequence prior to receiving it. This mental activity would entail deviation from the first commandment to honour God with all our heart, soul, and mind. Thus, we must not attempt to "steady the Ark" (2 Sam. 6:6,7), but "lovingly and confidently wait on God to consummate the deal successfully" (p. 239). Taking this stance therefore enables us to "demonstrate all his problems on a truly scientific basis".

Mary Baker Eddy's teaching on this topic is instructive: "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for tomorrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment. What a glorious inheritance is given to us through the understanding of omnipresent Love! More we cannot ask: more we do not want: more we cannot have. This sweet assurance is the "Peace, be still" to all human fears, to suffering of every sort" (from "Angels", Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, pp. 306-7).

Supply is not personal (p. 243-4)
Further lines of thinking to be avoided are believing that supply is for one's own benefit, rather than to benefit all mankind, and feeling personally responsible for supply, instead of "respond[ing] to God's ability" (p. 243). Simonsen reminds his readers of the Psalmist's promise -

"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass" (Ps 37:5).

Heed Nehemiah's example (p. 244)
Tell no man. Nehemiah had a mission and he carefully guarded that directive, telling no-one about it. This protected the idea from prying and enquiring others. Simonsen is guided by Proverbs 29:11 "A fool uttereth all his mind; but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards."

Faithfully take up the work at hand (p. 247)
Paul wrote "...whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ (Col. 2: 23-24).

Praying about substance and supply (p. 249-50)
"...one must see and realize harmony, position, and substance and supply as a present reality -- not going on because of any effort or labor you put forth to make it a fact: -- and, furthermore, you dwell right in the midst of it" (p. 249).

"Everything needful to supply one's need, -- the position and the power to express harmonious, joyful activity in that position, -- is now, and always will be man's birthright as God's son -- His image" (p. 250).

God provides the channel (p. 253-254)
The bottom line is that "God provides both the supply and the channel through which it is manifested..." (p. 253) and that such channels cannot be blocked or taken away.

What good news!

Julie Swannell

A gold mine

One might assume that having one's own gold mine would be the answer to one's financial woes. In the second part of his book "From the Methodist Pulpit into Christian Science and How I Demonstrated the Abundance of Substance and Supply", the Reverend Severin Simonsen announces man's "liberty from any and every limitation whatsoever" and his/her "possession of all good" (see p. 193). Is he suggesting that we all have our own gold mines? 

Well, yes and no. Yes, if we realize that the gold mine is our spiritual understanding of God as the true source and substance of all we need. No, because he firmly denounces man's "adamant belief in the power of material money as substance" (p. 194).

Simonsen speaks from his experience of working (as a Christian Science practitioner) with patients over a forty-one year period! This work, he tells us, included "careful and prayerful analysis of the many forms of error attacking each individual, and how to successfully meet and master these erroneous claims in Truth" (p. 188).

He thoroughly investigates his subject! What follows here is a raw summary of some of the topics he covers. Dear book clubbers are invited to study the book itself to learn the subject fully.

Money is but a symbol (p. 198, 206 on)

The clarity with which he enunciates that money is but a symbol of the true spiritual idea of supply is illuminating. For instance he explains that money symbolises, among other things:

- exchange between men and nations

- appreciation

- honesty

- justice

- righteousness

- give and take of brotherly love

- value

Children (pp. 196-198)

The passages here cover parental concern about how they will provide for their unborn child.

Business (p. 199)

"...all business is God's business and always successful" says the writer.

Church (p. 200)

Simonsen points to Malachi 3:10 and the promise of "a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Joy (p. 201)

Nehemiah 8:10 "Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet...neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Sin (p. 211)

"This true and correct understanding - realizing God as his substance and supply - causes man to lose his sense of envy, jealousy, covetousness..."

A real man vs entitlement (p. 149)

When Mary Baker Eddy invited Simonsen to attend Normal Class, she could have offered him free tuition, but she did not. Rev. Simonsen used this as the springboard to his full demonstration of the problem of substance and supply. He could no longer rely on the former entitlements due to him as a clergyman. Better, he could now "play the part of a real man, and pay [his] own way".

Pay the price (pp. 218 - 220)
Any good result requires attention in the lead-up. Simonsen offers two Biblical examples: the "rich young man" (Matthew 19) and the man, Job - see the book of Job in the Old Testament. Both had to learn to turn wholeheartedly to God and to give up their trust in material possessions. 

Set aside your human circumstances (p. 222 - 224)
What if our background is humble? Do we too, aspire to understand and accept as ours, true substance and supply? Simonsen assures us this is possible, and he cites the abilities of the "humble sheep-herder", Moses, as well as the fishermen-disciples, to develop and shine and thus bless the world for generations. 

No one is more or less important than another. Mary Baker Eddy writes: "Is not a man metaphysically and mathematically number one, a unit, and therefore whole number, governed and protected by his divine Principle, God?...one is as important a factor as duodecillions in being and doing right..." (Pulpit and Press p. 4).

Are we ready to receive, appreciate and use this abundance? (p. 225 - 228)
Simonsen reminds his readers that one must be "in a proper mental and spiritual condition to receive, appreciate, and make proper use of the abundance of all good" because what is received must be paid for. Who has not heard of sad stories where a rich inheritance or monetary windfall resulted in a state worse than before the so called fortune came? 

Simonsen reminds us of Jesus teaching, in his sobering parable of the Prodigal Son. Further, he suggests that both poor and rich must be "willing to have the tares of human will, selfishness, self-will, self-seeking, self-justification, self-indulgence, hate, and malice cleared out, roots and all; and to be purged of greed, lust, love of money etc."

Unceasing vigilance (p. 229)
- avoid being "influenced...by mortal man, mortal mind ideas or promises...as substance or supply"
- "lean only on God"
-  "abstain from murmuring and pitying [oneself], not only audibly, but in the innermost chambers of [the] heart"
- "stop outlining ways and means"
- be "grateful for this purifying process"

"The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts." Haggai 2:8

Julie Swannell

A rarity

The Reverend Simonsen's book is a rarity. Several readers have been in touch to say how grateful they are to be reminded of it this month.

I was privileged to have been given a copy by my mother early in my married life. I know it was a tremendous help to our family and our business. Its principles (all extracted from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures) have also shaped decisions in various volunteer organisations I have been involved in, including church. 

Each time I return to its pages, I am filled with gratitude for two things: the author's rich sharing of the results of his thorough research into the meaning of true substance and supply; and his vivid examples, which validate his reasoning. 

In recent years, I have had the privilege of reading portions of this book aloud with a few interested friends, each of whom has soon become absorbed in this account from a bygone era, but which resonates with clarity and relevance to all of us today.


Julie Swannell

Thorough knowledge of the Bible

Book for January 2018: Severin E. Simonsen's From the Methodist Pulpit into Christian Science and How I Demonstrated the Abundance of Substance and Supply.

I finished the book, rejoicing in the reminder that the prayers of many of the Psalms, and especially the Twenty-third and the Ninety-First, are songs of affirmation, not of pleading.  I think of all the dear ones (thousands, even millions?) who have turned to those last mentioned Psalms in times of stress, and found comfort, and guidance.  And yet, the general manner of prayer over the centuries seems to have been that of pleading with God.  As the Reverend Simonsen points out on page 287, students of Christian Science find that “...the mode of righteous prayer is not grasped all at once; but as they progress in their understanding of Christian Science, and continue to study the Scriptures in their true light, they soon find their own prayers taking form in like manner, and with as satisfying as assurance, as David's prayers of affirmation.”

Mr. Simonsen makes no statement which doesn't have its basis in the truth in some Bible passage, and he illustrates how he has demonstrated its absolute usefulness in his own experience.  The overwhelming impression left by the book is of his thorough knowledge of the Bible and his absolute trust in God's universal and infinite power.  And his gratitude for the life and work of Mary Baker Eddy who gave us the Key to the Scriptures in her great work Science and Health.  Through Mrs. Eddy's teaching he came to know the true nature of substance.  Just a few words there -- the true nature of substance -- but that is what the book is all about.

I did find the author's explanation of “How I Demonstrated the Abundance of Substance and Supply” went on longer than I thought to be necessary.  However, I can see that perhaps he is addressing all the different states of consciousness and beliefs of his hearers; one thought may be satisfied with one explanation and another with a different one.

For me, Mr. Simonsen epitomises the sentiment of hymn 291 from the Christian Science Hymnal:

Quiet, Lord, my froward heart,

   Make me gentle, pure, and mild,

Upright, simple, free from art;

   Make me as a little child,

From distrust and envy free,

Pleased with all that pleaseth Thee.

What Thou shalt today provide

   Let me as a child receive,

What tomorrow may betide

   Calmly to Thy wisdom leave;

'Tis enough that Thou wilt care,

Why should I the burden bear?

As a little child relies

   On a care beyond its own,

Being neither strong nor wise,

   Will not take a step alone,

Let me thus with Thee abide,

As my Father, Friend, and Guide.

Joyce Voysey

Called to serve

FOREWORD
Reason for writing and reading
Simonsen's book speaks to its readers with simple directness.  In the foreword, he offers his reasons for writing: "to make public and beneficial the experience of an earnest seeker of the Truth who applied the Principle discovered by Mrs. Eddy, and who had unfolded to him the solution of one of the most vital problems confronting mankind today, namely, that of demonstrating over lack and limitation into the glorious freedom of the abundance of substance and supply." Furthermore, he cautions that absence of the "correct understanding of substance and supply" (p. vii) leads to sin and sickness. This is a startling statement.

CHAPTER ONE
Calling and commitment
Here we learn a little of the author's background. In 1843, his devout parents sailed to north America on board a mail packet from Skein in Norway. Landfall was made in Quebec (Canada) and thence to Milwaukee (Wisconsin) via the Great Lakes. The journey was difficult, as were the family's early years. Bible study was an important part of each day and the young Severin was particularly interested in Jesus' healing of the sick; in fact, he records an instance of turning to God in prayer when his mother was ill. Her recovery was foundational to the lad's growing trust in and turning to God for help in times of need (p. 19).

The teen-aged Severin soon felt a calling to "bring [God's] message of love and salvation to mankind" and opportunities to speak in his father's Methodist church shortly presented themselves to the fourteen year old. He learned some valuable lessons: never to relinquish the work entrusted to us, because by doing so we are "apt to miss the blessing and reward for good and faithful work and unquestioning obedience to God" (p.24); one must watch and guard one's thoughts (p. 21); and we should never heed error's voice (p. 27).

Having now thoroughly committed himself to serving God, Simonsen writes that he "took up the study of the Scriptures with renewed energy" in the hope of being "the greatest possible service to [his] fellow man" (p. 28). However, he was soon tested, just as Abraham had been (Gen. 22:11,12). While Abraham reached the point of being prepared to give up his son Issac, Simonsen was caught in a quandary regarding his much loved dog. As a result of earnest prayer, he was able to let go his great personal attachment to the dog with the result that he was both able to keep the dog and also fill his spare time - not with doggy pastimes - but with study of the Scriptures (p. 29).

Love at first sight
After graduating from Garrett Biblical Institute in 1881, Severin completed further study in Europe where he "searched [in vain] for someone who healed the sick according to Christ's command" (p. 30).  Once back home, he spent his holidays as a travelling salesman and it is here that he relates the tender and nourishing story of how he met his Mary Elizabeth (pp. 30 - 35).

Christ's command: heal the sick
Some years later, Simonsen was still pondering Christ's command to heal the sick whilst also battling a debilitating disease that appeared incurable. His elder brother (a Methodist minister) suggested he try Christian Science because a good friend had been "marvellously healed" through its means (p. 38), but his physician brother-in-law discredited the method as "nothing but hypnotism" (ibid). Later however, a fellow church member called on Mr. Simonsen, asking him to try CS. She offered proof of its validity. A mutual acquaintance had been completely healed through Christian Science of paralysis of the right side of her body (p. 38-39).

Simonsen then recounts his visit to a CS practitioner (p. 39 - 43). He writes: "I was passing through an experience and unfoldment never to be forgotten. Everything...took on a more glorious appearance" (p. 42).

Book for January: From the Methodist Pulpit into Christian Science (by S.E. Simonsen)

Friends,

How often do you open a book and out flops a $50 note? Well, that's what happened to me this morning as I leafed through our chosen book for January 2018: Reverend Severin E. Simonsen's From the Methodist Pulpit into Christian Science and How I Demonstrated the Abundance of Substance and Supply. 

Although this interesting work is not available in Reading Rooms, many will have it in their library, and copies are available online via Amazon and other outlets. Order your copy today so you can join us with this month's exciting study as we follow the engaging story of one man's journey into Christian Science and his demonstration of provision for himself and his large family.

Simonsen writes: "In my extended study of the Bible, sacred history, and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures I have learned that it is sin, ignorance, and a misconception of God and of man's own birthright - the supply of all good and his dominion over all the earth - that has plunged him into this seething and foaming abyss of human misery - fear, lack and limitation, want and woe, despair and untold suffering."

"God declared through his prophet Jeremiah, Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. Also through Isaiah He states, Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (p. 190).

An Amazon reader comments as follows:

A page-turner written from the heart
July 21, 2006

Format: Hardcover

First Published in 1928, this book has become a classic

This narration can inspire anyone into a higher appreciation of Mary Baker Eddy's teachings, and into a positive reception of the depth and practicability of this discovered Science.

The author tells how he, after finding Christian Science in 1900 and despite a large family to support, left the protestant ministry and positively demonstrated supply through healing work in Science.

He gives a most inspiring account of his trust in God to care for him and his family, and of his experience as a student, and practitioner of Baker Eddy's teachings.

Happy reading everyone: I hope you enjoy the book!

Julie Swannell