Article August 7, 1909 Issue

WATCHING THE ROAD

A. C. DICKEY

CHRIST JESUS said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." As we go about our work we often find timely lessons which, when viewed in the light of Christian Science, become of great value to us in our daily living. I was called out one night last winter during a severe blizzard. Part of the journey was made by train and part had to be made by team over the level prairie. I reached the house where help was needed about one o'clock in the morning, and found the patient much better. I knew by the look of the storm that unless I returned on the next train I would not get home for many days, so I started back, accompanied by two young boys, a little after two o'clock.

It was a very weird-looking night, the wind screaming and the snow drifting; in every direction that one could look, was the same white expanse of prairie. I sat well covered up, in the back part of the sleigh, and rather enjoyed the ride, as I had no fear and no sense of responsibility; so I chatted with the boys, but only one answered—the one who was driving said not a word. I soon began to wonder why he did not speak, and asked the reason. His answer came quick and short, "Why, I have to watch the road!" No one knew as well as that young boy what it meant to make one false move that night. The thought came to me how much the little journey was like the greater journey "from sense to Soul" (Science and Health, p. 566). Like the snow, error is whirling, and would blind us if we did not carefully "watch the road."

If we would bring ourselves through the wilderness of mortal sense, and help those who are entrusted to us, we shall have "no time for gossip about false law or testimony" (Ibid., p. 238). We must instead "watch the road!" Then the thought came to me how apt we are as Christian Scientists to feel ourselves well ensconced in the background, with no particular responsibility,—this great Christian Science movement going right along through storm and stress, and we never realizing what it means to our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, who is constantly watching the road, and who has so faithfully and silently kept the watch. It should make us remember not to waste time in chatting or chattering, but to be still and listen for the voice that says, "This is the way, walk ye in it." Mrs. Eddy through her loving watchfulness discovered that there was "an highway ... and a way," and that it should be called "the way of holiness."

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