Article March 5, 1904 Issue

In the Path

ELINOR F. EDWARDS.

A beautiful water color which hangs on my wall, showing a bit of woodland path in autumn, is more to me than a pleasing picture, for by it I am often reminded that I once groped in darkness, not knowing the true path or how to find it. For an unknown period I was lost in a dense wilderness. Day after day I searched in vain for some way of escape, and at night lay down in weariness and despair only to begin the search again with each return of day. Hopeless at last, and ready to die, more dead than alive, I sank in exhaustion, crying, "Help, Lord, or I perish." Lying there as in a lonely forest, pride humbled and self prostrate, I heard a voice gently calling, "Come unto me." "He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." With a superhuman effort I raised myself, and at that moment a single ray of light disclosed a narrow bit of path which, in my distress, I had failed to notice before. Giving thanks to God, who I knew had thus answered my first real prayer, and sustained by an angel presence whose name I afterwards learned to love,—the angel of divine Science,—I began to walk in the narrow way which I felt sure would lead me out of the dreadful wilderness of human illusions. I did not ask how long it would take me to get out of the tangle. It was enough to know that my face was turned in the right direction, and I could sing as I went along, "One step enough for me." Although I am still far from the goal, and only a bit of the path is seen before me at a time, yet of this I am certain, that it is the right way and the only way to life and peace, and that by keeping in this path made so plain to a lost and bewildered humanity through the God-given courage and selflessness of our beloved Leader and Guide, Mrs. Eddy, I shall reach my Father's house at last. "For this my Son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found."

"I see the way now. The guardians of His presence go before me. I enter the path. It may be smooth, or it may be rugged; but it is always straight and narrow; and if it be up-hill all the way the ascent is easy, and the summit is gained" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 347).

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