Editorial April 2, 1904 Issue

Nature and Science

Physical sense does not discover the evidences of spiritual existence, yet no one can deny that even a degree of spiritual perception gives nobility to aspiration, and stability to effort, and that it unfolds capabilities which otherwise would remain dormant. With our healing in Christian Science there comes a wonderful consciousness of divine Life and Love,—an emancipation from the bondage of error and an awakening perception of the reason why material ways and means may no longer be employed to bring about harmony. Though these means may not always be morally harmful, they do not call into action the mental energies which are such a marked characteristic of the healing work of Truth. Our Leader says, "Science is an explication of nature" (Science and Health, p. 83), and the following incident illustrates the value of nature's lessons when we recognize that infinite Principle governs all.

One springtime a butterfly chrysalis in its winter wrappings was placed on the writer's desk, and she noticed that narrow bands of paper had been pasted around it, so that it seemed impossible for the creature to break forth when the time came for it to fly. The hasty conclusion was reached that this was a manifestation of a boy's thoughtless cruelty, but it was soon learned that some one had been experimenting, and had prematurely opened one end of the case. This would have been disastrous to the little creature, for only by the efforts put forth in emerging through a very small aperture, is it developed and strengthened, and the wings in particular prepared for their free life. The paper wrapping was therefore intended to remedy the mistaken kindness which had been tampering with the natural process of unfoldment.

The lesson proved most helpful, and was often recalled as the seemingly dead thing lay there for several weeks. At last, however, on the day before Easter, a beautiful butterfly was seen floating about the house, and it soon found its way out into the April sunshine. No one had seen its emergence from prison, and when it went forth into the "wide, wide world" no one knew how it was to be cared for, but the Master's words were remembered, "Your heavenly Father feedeth them."

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