Article May 7, 1932 Issue

Supply Ever at Hand

BEATRICE CLAYTON

In the twenty-first chapter of Genesis it is related that Hagar, when driven from home, wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba until her supply of water was spent, and then, in utter despair, cast her son Ishmael under a shrub, "and sat her down over against him a good way off, ... for she said, Let me not see the death of the child." Then the angel, or messenger of God, bade her fear not; "and God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she ... gave the lad drink."

Hagar's actual need, it will be observed, was not primarily water; for water in abundance was in fact at hand, in the very place where she had resigned herself to die of thirst. Her need was to have her eyes opened so that she could perceive the supply. When fear was quieted, bewilderment fled, and she saw the needlessness of despair.

Mortal thinking has not changed. Today, many people oppressed by an acute sense of lack seek the aid of Christian Science practitioners. They feel that they need some definite, concrete, material thing which must be secured before they can know content. Their real need is to have their eyes opened to the ever-presence of good. What is required—and in this a practitioner can help them—is to still their fears and clear away the blinding mists of resentment, false belief, self-pity, grief, and other errors, so that with spiritual vision they will perceive fullness where stark want seemed to be. Does not the promise read, "Before they call, I will answer"? One can desire no genuine good which is not already provided by the all-seeing, all-knowing Mind. The very fact of a seeming need is proof of an existing and available supply.

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