I had a terrific lecture experience in Santa Barbara, CA, last Monday night. When I arrived at the local library, I was greeted by a large contingent of ushers preparing to welcome and invite people to the event. I haven’t met such an enthusiastic group of greeters in a long time.

They had attractive half-letter sized flyers with the title “Realize your Potential: unlimited opportunities and possibilities,” to hand out to passers-by and library patrons. Located one block off of State Street, which is a very heavy foot traffic area, I understand some ushers went out into the crowds and welcomed strangers to the event. And they came, and came. The room was filled to capacity by 7 p.m.

I had to chuckle when one usher caught the attention of a young man walking along in his low-rider blue jeans and told him about the lecture. He looked a bit unsure of what to think about her invitation, but she persisted. “You can learn all about realizing your potential!” she urged. He thought a moment. Then he replied in agreement, “Well, I certainly could realize more of MY potential!” And he ambled in. He stayed for the whole event and appeared to be a very earnest listener.

The audience was alive, alert, attentive, responsive, and so enjoyable to speak to. At the end, 24-28 copies [I had earlier reported 42, but since have been corrected] of Science and Health were picked up by attendees as they left the room.

Several of the newcomers came and spoke to me. One said, “I was led here tonight.” Actually one of the ushers invited her in, and she accepted. But during the lecture, she heard so many spiritual ideas that she already believed in, that it was like coming home, and she concluded beyond a doubt, that God had brought her to that room that night. She left clutching her new textbook and Christian Science Monitor.

With so many newcomers taking the message of Christian Science home that evening, Santa Barbara received a large influx of new, fresh scientific thinking that will benefit it for years to come.

Interestingly, one of the main points I brought out in my talk was the importance of defending one’s progress from resistance. In light of the fires in the Santa Barbara area capturing headline news across the country over the last few days, this has been a good time to put the ideas discussed Monday night into practice.

I pointed out how reformatory steps are often greeted with resistance from elements of the carnal mind which wants to stop progress and hold a status quo. For instance, Jesus met resistance every step of the way in his ministry. The more he preached God’s goodness and demonstrated it, the more intense was opposition to his efforts. But he triumphed over all his enemies through his understanding of the omnipotence of divine Love. And we can too.

There is a spiritual perspective that stops the fires for the benefit of the Santa Barbara neighborhood.

I pray to know that God sends showers of Love their way to douse out the fear, conquer worry, cancel doubt and preserve calm. Fire does not have a power of its own. I affirm. It cannot rage out of control. God governs and controls the universe we live in, not evil elements of the carnal mind.

Fire has a useful purpose, but not a destructive one. It has its right place, and racing through the desert into residential homes is not its right place. God draws a line in the hills and says, “Thus far and no farther.” The fear subsides, the fire stops, and all is safe.

I take heart in knowing that the potential of Santa Barbara is spiritual, and cannot be hurt, harmed, burned or adversely impacted. The beauty, order, peace and calm of the region are divinely supported, evidence of heaven on earth and eternal. They are not in danger. This is a truth we all can realize now and see the picture of error presently identified as fires out of control, brought under control and stopped. Santa Barbara cannot be denied its potential!