Editorial February 26, 1910 Issue

WHEN GOD SPEAKS

Annie M. Knott

In the 33rd chapter of the book of Job, that wonderful drama of human suffering, hope, and aspiration, we read that "God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not." Then comes the discipline of suffering.—the necessary resultant of the belief of life in matter,—and there follow the days and nights of pain and unrest, until the sufferer turns with abhorrence from the once craved dainties, for he can no longer eat even the food which is supposed to sustain his life; his flesh consumes away and he draws near unto the grave. This dreary picture did not cease to repeat itself with Job's time, it has been alas, too familiar in all mortal experience, but the inspired writer did not leave its gloomy outlines before his readers. He tells us what divine Love says, and the word is, "Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom."

At this point we have presented a contingency which is of peculiar interest to the student of Christian Science, namely, If there be . . . an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness" (the revised version has it, "to show unto man what is right for him"). All at once, after the coming of this interpreter, the vision changes, the erstwhile sufferer awakens from his dream, he sees God's face with joy : the wasted flesh is "fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth : . . . and his life shall see the light."

This experience, told in the language of a by gone day, has been the experience of unnumbered thousands to whom Christian Science has come as the "interpreter" of God and His ways, of His infinite compassion and mercy, and His no less infinite power to save from sin, disease, and death, all who accept His omnipotent aid. No longer does a dense wall of material belief shut out the voice that calls and calls, not once or twice but ever, till the wanderer is safe within the walls of the city where is neither sin, sorrow, pain, nor death. The pity is that so few listen when God speaks. They think that God does not hear their prayers for help, when instead they do not hear when God says, as to ancient Israel."In me is thine help." Jesus said to his Father and ours, "I knew that thou hearest me always." He also said, "The Father hath not left me alone: for I do always those things that please him." His work was the establishment of God's kingdom, with its laws of health, holiness, happiness, and its wholesome atmosphere of truth and love, and if we are truly his followers this should be the business to which we devote our lives.

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