IN THE NARROW WAY

S. C. LOGAN.

There still exist in Rome large remains of a long and high wall which once connected the Vatican with the Castello Angelo. It is ten or twelve feet high and is said to have been built in the early part of the Middle Ages for defense and protection in the many civil wars and sieges to which that unhappy city was so constantly subject. From the platform on the top of the Castello Angelo its course can easily be traced, though in places it has been destroyed and at present it serves no useful purpose. The guide points it out to visitors and explains to them that for several centuries it was considered to be merely a wall. But within recent times, in the course of some restorations, a passage was found leading into the wall at one end, and on further investigation it was discovered that a narrow space had been left throughout the entire length of the wall in the center of it, large enough to permit one person passing at a time.

It takes but little imagination to picture to oneself one of the innumerable faction fights of the Middle Ages taking place on either side of this wall, clouds of arrows flying over it, scaling ladders planted against one side by the besiegers only to be hurled down again with their living freight by the besieged; battle cries, groans, and shrieks resounding on every side, and in the midst of all this hurly-burly men were passing to and fro in peace and confidence, in complete security because unseen and unsuspected. They could hear the battle raging within a foot or two; perhaps through some tiny, cleverly contrived crack they would even see the combatants. Yet they felt no fear and stood to watch or passed along on their business, safe in the certainty that no one dreamed of their presence there.

One to whom the story was told pondered much on this curious discovery and often thought what a comfortable feeling of security must have been the lot of those few who knew of this secret passage, and how well it would be with all if they also only knew of a certain way to escape from their endless troubles. This thought she carried back from Rome to her own home in London, and about two months later Christian Science was presented to her for the first time. Slowly and doubtingly she began to investigate it. Who could believe such a tale! No evil, no sin, sickness merely an erroneous belief! It all seemed far too good to be true; why delude oneself with such a fool's paradise? Presently she would wake up and one more illusion would vanish to join the rest. Yet there seemed an air of reality about it, too—so many happy faces in church, such a contented, satisfied look about them, so many positive assurances that once more the blind saw and the lame walked. Then one day in a Christian Science Reading Room she took up a book that was new to her, and opening it casually, read these words by Mrs. Eddy,—

Beneath the shadow of His mighty wing;
In that sweet secret of the narrow way.

—Miscellaneous Writings, p. 389.

Instantly she remembered the safe passage through the Roman wall and thought. The writer of these words has discovered such another path and knows where the entrance is. If I could only find it, too!

Now it is found—and many times has she taken refuge in it while the battle raged furiously without. "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand;" and yet, safely hidden in that narrow way, "it shall not come nigh thee." She dearly loves to add a tribute of deep gratitude to the dear Leader who has helped her and so many others out of darkness into light, health, joy, and all that makes life worth living. Words never convey all of one's thoughts, and gratitude is best shown silently by loving obedience as far as one knows how, but an impulsion was felt to write this word of heartfelt thanks for that beautiful and touching poem, The Mother's Evening Prayer."

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