Article April 11, 1908 Issue

"MY FOOT HATH HELD HIS STEPS"

W. PETCH.

One day. while staying in Devonshire, I was asked to go for a scramble along the rocky seashore, to a point commanding a splendid view. Somewhat timidly I consented to go, and the ensuing little experience taught me a clear lesson. The rocks were exceedingly rugged and rough, but my friend and guide went in front of me, planting his own feet in the easiest and best positions for mine to follow; and as I accepted my leader's guidance without fear, or hesitancy, I found that I passed easily and quickly along where otherwise I might have stumbled and fallen, while my companion would constantly turn to me with a helping hand and encouraging smile, as though to say, "When these little difficulties are overcome you will be. well repaid by the lovely view you will enjoy."

The next morning in my daily reading of our LessonSermon. I came across these words from Job, "My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined," and they had for me a new and living meaning. Why, when to follow a human friend is a task of ease and joy. has it been so often thought that to follow in the steps of Christ Jesus means a difficult or irksome discipleship? In following our Master in the way made so simple to us by Mrs. Eddy in her book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," we learn that the universal Christ-idea is ever before each illumined human consciousness, directing its "passage from sense to Soul" (Science and Health, p. 566) ; and even as an earthly friend chooses the easiest and best path for the one who follows, so the Christ-idea, by the power of omnipotent Mind, changes what before appeared to be insurmountable difficulties, into steps for our feet, showing how these very difficulties may be overcome by pouring into the human consciousness those "floodtides of Love" (Science and Health, p. 201) which antidote all fear, enabling each pilgrim to go steadily forward and upward, patiently rising above all that is not of God ; in which pursuit one can realize but peace and safety, for it is only when we turn from the straight path to the right hand or to the left of false self-seeking or false dependence, that we stumble and fall.

In Christian Science we learn that Christ, Truth, our best, our only guide and friend, is ever with us ; and as each stage in our mental journey is accomplished, and the receptive consciousness has taken possession of or held each successive idea of Truth and Love, thus drawing nearer and nearer the full understanding of man's unity with God, — the one perfect consciousness, — we shall grow to appreciate the ever-increasing confidence and joy expressed in those few simple words, "My foot hath held his steps."

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