Article December 17, 1904 Issue

Reflected Light

ANNIE H. WILSON.

I was once privileged to hear Sir Henry M. Stanley lecture on Darkest Africa, and a grand lecture it was. I shall not soon forget the climax of the description he gave of his toilsome journey with his faithful party, composed, mostly, of natives, as they cut their way through the untried and heretofore impenetrable forest region of Central Africa. Into this forest the sun's rays had never penetrated, and it took months to hew a road which, once made, could be traversed in a few days. They were obliged to work in light which was never brighter than twilight; in the midst of undergrowth that seemed fairly to bar out progress; and to the natives, this forest was infested not only with venomous serpents and beasts of prey, but also with evil spirits, whom they believed to haunt it, and to send sickness upon any one entering this, their domain. Only unfaltering courage on the part of the leader, and his determination to push forward, was able to sustain his weary and fearful, yet devoted followers. His knowledge of physical science had freed him from the superstitions which oppressed them, and he knew that the dark forest was not enchanted, nor was it endless. Loving and trusting him, they followed his leadership, and while they suffered, and many died, yet to this band of workers the world owes the opening of the heart of Africa.

Stanley told in graphic language of the close of the tremendous task, when at length there dawned before them the vision of a plateau of beautiful green grass, bordering a lake whose waters shimmered and danced in the sunlight. Their joy knew no bounds; white and black alike laughed and wept together, becoming for the time a set of uncontrollably happy children.

His experience brings to mind the labors of our beloved and God-enlightened Leader, and our trials and seeming failures in following her guidance. A sense of boundless joy and gratitude may well be ours as Scientists, in thinking upon that "patient continuance in well doing," which reached one of its happy culminations in the completion of the Concord church, our Leader's loving gift to the people of her native city. By the mental signs of harmony and progress, may we evince what it means for us and for the world. To me, as an individual, this event links itself with one of the happiest and most profitable experiences I have ever had. It is certainly true that from the first of my efforts to understand and obey the laws of Christian Science, "each successive stage of experience" has unfolded "new views of divine goodness and love" (Science and Health, p. 66), yet the way has often seemed not easy nor clear. Jesus' words, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light," have not always made the impression that they should. Nevertheless, I have followed on, though "faint, yet pursuing," and the way has grown brighter.

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