Memory

It may be helpful to any one struggling with the confusing belief of poor memory to hear how one student of Science was enabled to overcome this false belief. At the time the demonstration took place, the student was serving on a committee appointed for the special purpose of seeing that strangers were given a welcome at the services, and that they were called upon at their homes and the loving word of fellowship extended to them. As the church was in a university town, the population was to a considerable extent transient; while at certain times of the year there would be an influx of newcomers.

The student of Christian Science found it easy to recall faces, but to remember new names seemed increasingly difficult. Unmindful of the instruction to be found on page 407 of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy, “If delusion says, ‘I have lost my memory,’ contradict it. No faculty of Mind is lost,” she complicated the problem by falling into the habit of apologizing for this error instead of correcting it. It often became her duty to introduce church members to these newcomers, and embarrassing situations repeatedly arose. This went on to the point of causing her acute chagrin. There were occasions when the matter could not be carried off lightly; occasions when some shy or formal stranger would be thrust into an extremely awkward position; occasions when some friend whose name was as familiar to the would-be introducer as her own was decidedly astonished or even momentarily provoked at this inexplicable lapse of memory. It finally came to the pass where something had to be done. Constantly reiterated affirmation of the error had induced a state of self-mesmerism.

One day this student found herself having to work the problem to a finish while on her way to call upon someone who was just beginning to be interested in Christian Science, and who had come once to church. The address given had been insufficient, so there was a possibility that some inquiries might have to be made before she could be located. Even though the right house were found, the problem would not be entirely solved. “If she comes to the door herself,” soliloquized the unhappy calling member of the committee, “I’ll be safe, for I can say ‘Good afternoon’ without having to speak her name. But if anyone else comes, whom shall I ask for? What shall I do?” Perhaps for the first time it was seen that the error was not a thing to be neglected as a mere trifle, for to do so never does master the smallest error. There ascended a very sincere and urgent prayer for help; and the answer came, unfolding wonderfully, unhurriedly, step by step, as the Scientist went on her way.

It was seen that the one Mind which “maintains all identities, from a blade of grass to a star, as distinct and eternal” (Science and Health, p. 70) must forever know every one of His divine ideas, as well as His divine purpose for each. This individual divine identity and purpose are known to each idea by the direct revelation of God; but the individuality and identity of each idea can be known to the others in the infinite realm of Mind only by reflection, as no one idea could ever usurp the prerogative and capacity of the infinite Mind and comprehend that which Mind alone can know. In other words, each idea cognizes itself and God’s purpose in it directly, being at-one with the creator; while it discerns its companion ideas through their reflection of God. To divine ideas, then, moving in the understanding of Love, there must be mutual, joyful recognition, as they reflect the divine qualities or attributes; and so there comes about an exchange of understanding.

It was seen that no storing up of facts, figures, faces, and names should be necessary, since Mind is ever present and knows all; and that we reflect whatever we need from this all-knowing Mind at any moment. Thus was recognized our ability to reflect instantly the desired intelligence, from the one source of all true knowledge, in harmony with the statement, “Christian Science presents unfoldment, not accretion” (Science and Health, p. 68). We can rely upon the ever-presence of Mind as surely as upon the ever-presence of Love to meet each succeeding need, for Mind and Love are one, and that One is God.

A great sense of mental release came to the Scientist; and all was well. The lady she was going to call upon opened the door herself, and her name came to the caller’s lips at the moment. From that time on, there was little difficulty in correcting the error of belief in a poor memory; and presently the Scientist found herself happily surprised at the effortless facility with which names and faces linked themselves in proper relation, and were present in thought at just the moment it was necessary to recall them. In many another emergency, dates, incidents, citations from the Bible or from our Leader’s works, reminders of some duty, have been found in thought at precisely the right time, though not consciously held before or afterwards. Isaiah tells us, “It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” This beautiful promise of the older Scripture has a correlative in the compassionate reassurance of Jesus, “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”