Article February 7, 1920 Issue

The Comfort of the Rod

MARION BALCOM SMITH

There is a world of comfort and assurance to be gained by the Christian from the words of the psalmist, "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." To the casual reader or the young student of Christian Science, the word "staff" at once conveys the thought of support and assistance, filling him with a sense of gratitude for God's help; while the full significance of the word "rod" in connection with God's care and protection may not at once appear. The figurative use of the word rod presents the thought of discipline, correction, also of dominion and power. Now a mortal from his earliest infancy is not inclined to regard discipline or correction as a comfort. The child weeps when he is corrected; later on in life he comes under various forms of discipline. Experiences in schools and colleges, as well as those of his everyday world, have this corrective effect, but seldom does he associate the thought of comfort with them. Let the mortal or human consciousness turn to Christian Science, however, and the individual at once, or very shortly after he begins the study, discovers that many previously conceived beliefs have to be cast out and replaced by the true idea, including this one with reference to discipline.

When he first turns to Truth, the student of Christian Science may only be conscious of the joy he has in being helped and healed. He is content to dwell in the light reflected from the pure thought of others, without putting forth much effort on his own part to gain an understanding of Principle. Mrs. Eddy, in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 80), states that "the kindly shepherd of the East carries his lambs in his arms to the sheepcot." Such might be considered the early stage of the student's experience, "but," our Leader continues in the same passage, "the older sheep pass into the fold under his compelling rod." And this the student finds to be true if he does not willingly and at once commence to prove Principle for himself, treading meekly and honestly in the way which has been pointed out for him.

Just at this point, however, he possibly experiences some difficulty. In order to prove Principle, he must live under the abiding law of God. This demands forsaking all worldliness. It means turning away from the insistent calls of mortal experience, such as the pursuit of money, fame, and pleasure, to learn that "Truth, Life, and Love are the only legitimate and eternal demands on man" (Science and Health, p. 184). This lesson learned, the student finds himself in his right place humanly as well as divinely, fulfilling all necessary obligations. He also discovers that his needs have broadened out into the one spiritual need, which divine Love supplies. It is then that he begins to realize what the psalmist meant by the comfort of the rod. He rejoices that he cannot escape from the invariable law of Principle. A part of a verse in the Christian Science Hymnal (p. 141) expresses the loving guidance of this law:—

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