Editorial June 10, 1905 Issue

"Open thy mouth wide."

John B. Willis

The robins had selected the narrow edge of the window-blind for their foundation, and it seemed precarious enough, but it was well protected by a projecting cornice, and when the observing householder noted their sweet neighborliness and trustful plans, he tied the blind securely, and watched with keenest interest the building of their home. Their industry was both cheerful and continuous, and ere many hours the gleanings of the nooks and hedges had been shaped into a soft-lined nest which, though so frail and unpretentious, brought these feathered folk more contentment than ever palace brought its king.

In an astonishingly brief time the little house was peopled, and then the busy season came on. Here, there, and everywhere food was gathered, and however frequent their homecomings, the devoted parents always found a noisy bunch of open mouths awaiting them, and the bugs and worms were dropped into hungry depths with ceaseless round. To the parental call, "Open thy mouth wide," the nestlings were ever obedient, and they grew so fast and so strong that in a little while the freedom of the sunlight and of the sky became their glad possession.

As he followed these simple events, the observer was led to think of that truly Golden Age—an age which has been brought nigh for him and for many, through Christian Science—when the impulse to kill shall be cast out by love; when men shall become so kind, so inoffensive, and so just, as to be worthy the confidence which little birds and beasts would gladly and quickly repose, were they not taught by long and cruel experience to fear. He could but think, too, how much more readily these little brothers learn some lessons than do we, and that their vantage is gained through the quality of their trust and their obedience. They do not worry, and they do not limit a brooding beneficence by profitless questionings. If, like them, we did but open the heart and life "wide,"—if we became so sure of God, so trustful in Him that our first concern was to be entirely responsive to His call,—willing to accept whatever He gives, then would we attain and maintain that ideal attitude toward Truth which is the one contribution we can make to the consummations of the spiritual life.

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