Editorial March 20, 1909 Issue

OUR SANCTUARY

Annie M. Knott

The wisdom of our Leader in providing for the study of the entire Bible in our Lesson-Sermons becomes more and more apparent, for we are thus led to see how the understanding of the truth unites "all periods in the design of God" (Science and Health, p. 271). What was true of the Israelites on their way to the promised land is true today in a larger and more spiritual sense of those who are journeying toward the realm of the real. For instance, the symbolism of the tabernacle and its rites must have meant much to a primitive people, and no one would now deny that its true significance was lost because it was materialized; hence our great need is to gain the spiritual meaning of this, and of "all the good the past hath had," for thus only can we comprehend the Christ-idea which is "the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

In the Psalms we have many references to the sanctuary, all of which lift thought to its spiritual significance and universal application; as, for instance, "My flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary." Again, the psalmist tells of a troubled sense, a conflict with the belief in error's reality, when he says, "It was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary of God." This points to the necessity of dwelling in the "secret place of the most High," and abiding "under the shadow of the Almighty." Of old the Jewish sanctuary contained the tables of stone inscribed with the Ten Commandments, the golden pot of manna, and Aaron's rod, the symbol of spiritual power. The sanctuary also came to be regarded as a place of refuge from the enemy, and this thought of it has perhaps been the most permanent, but its most deeply significant feature was the pillar of cloud and of fire, the symbol of Life and Love,—the "consuming fire" which destroys all evil—sin, disease, and death.

In the epistle to the Hebrews (9th chapter) we read much concerning the sanctuary and what it contained, and these are declared to be "figures of the true," while Christ is said to be "an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands." Concerning this subject our revered Leader says, "Our surety is in our confidence that we are indeed dwellers in Truth and Love, man's eternal mansion" (Pulpit and Press, p. 3). We may well ask ourselves whether we ever forget what it means to dwell in this sanctuary of Spirit, whether we forget the Ten Commandments, the manna, the rod, all of which exist to the spiritualized consciousness as eternal verities, making unceasing demand for righteousness. Isaiah says that in "every dwelling place of Mount Zion" there will be "a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense." Can "any plague," either sin or sickness, come nigh the home thus divinely protected? We know it cannot unless we open the door for it, perchance even invite some phase of discord to enter, and there is really no home unless it be a sacred place,—at once a stronghold and a sanctuary. We rejoice in knowing that the "good things to come" are here and now, revealed by Divine Science, which gives us spiritual realities in place of "carnal ordinances," and shows us that the "only priest is the spiritualized man" (Science and Health, p. 141). The way into "the holiest of all" is opened for us when we advanced beyond the vail of belief in matter, for thus we stand in the presence of spiritual facts,—eternal verities.

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