Editorial May 14, 1904 Issue

"A Door of Hope"

Among the many rare gems of thought found in Hebrew poetry, Hosea's reference to "a door of hope" is peculiarly impressive. The writer once heard a highly educated Hindoo speak of the difference between the Oriental and the Occidental idea of God. He said that the conceptions of deity which prevail among the peoples of the West and of the North fail to attract Orientals, inasmuch as they are lacking in the tenderness and warmth which the latter always associate with the nature of the Supreme Being. He, however, added that these were really to be found in our Scriptures, but that we did not seem to utilize their touching appeal, either in our intercourse with each other or in presenting our religious views to the people of the East. He was much interested to learn that Christian Science has opened the eyes of many to the precious treasures contained in the Bible, and that we were keenly appreciative of our obligations to the prophets and seers of the olden time, who saw in the sweetest and purest relations of human life, glimpses of the infinite tenderness of "our Father-Mother God" (Science and Health, p. 16), and who inscribed their thoughts on the "deathless page," for the awakening of the world, and the interpretation of divine Science.

Hosea's mention of "a door of hope" is of especial interest, in that he speaks of it as being in the valley of Achor (of trouble), and the picture he presents is that of a woman,—a type of the human race which has wandered away from God into sin and consequent misery. In the very midst of these conditions, divine Love points to "a door of hope," and says, "She shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, . . . and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God." Is not this indeed the "hope which maketh not ashamed"? and does it not point to "Christ in you, the hope of glory"?

Among the many testimonies to the healing power of Christ, Truth, which are given in our periodicals, the greater number tell of utter hopelessness before the light of Christian Science dawned. Many tell of ever-narrowing prison walls of fear and suffering, when suddenly, in fulfilment of the Divine promise, a door was opened out into the sunlight; and as the Psalmist said, "He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God," so do they tell of their escape from the bondage of sickness and sin, into the freedom which is at once physical, mental, moral, and spiritual.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Springtide at Pleasant View