A line in Hymn number 9 reassures us, “He knows the angels that you need and sends them to your side, to comfort, guard and guide”. And we find these comforting words in Hymn number 115, “Year by year Thy hand hath brought us on through dangers oft unknown”.
Several years ago, as I walked into our local village one morning, I became aware of the smell of gas. Assuming that the local residents would have immediately reported this to the Gas Board, I didn’t think any more about it. Rather unsettlingly, whenever I was in that area over the next few days, I would again smell gas, but each time I felt sure the problem would have been reported by concerned residents.
One afternoon, as I walked into the village, there it was again...the unmistakeable smell of gas. This time the angel message was clear: ring the Gas Board, and ring them now! Returning home, I rang the relevant authorities, and to my surprise, the engineer said that no- one had reported the gas leak, but they would be there within the hour. Several vans arrived shortly afterwards, and the engineers began an extensive investigation into the problem. I spoke to one of the men, and mentioned in passing that I was the lady who had reported the gas leak. He confirmed that it was a serious fault which needed to be checked out as a matter of urgency.
The centre of Leatherhead was closed for two days while the gas leak was dealt with, and although it resulted in major disruption and diversions for the town and surrounding roads, much gratitude was expressed by local residents that a potentially damaging problem for the town had come to light and had been dealt with effectively.
Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health that angels are “God’s thoughts passing to man; spiritual intuitions, pure and perfect”. How grateful we can be that these angel thoughts are always coming to us from God to “comfort, guard and guide”.