Article April 23, 1910 Issue

SPIRITUAL SOARING

CARL HORTON PIERCE.

The recent surprising feats of the aviators of America, England, France, and Germany serve to draw the thought more attentively to the spiritual aspiration which has been called forth by Christian Science. In spiritual soaring Mrs. Eddy is leading the race to the heights where "conception unconfined is winged to reach the divine glory" (Science and Health, p.323). We observe the inspiring sight of our noble spiritual pathfinder preceding an army of those who follow her as she follows Christ.

Unlike material aviation, however, our spiritual upward progress is not attended with constant fear of death and sudden annihilation. He who has awakened to Truth is dependent on no frail construction for his safety, but realizes more and more as he ascends that "underneath are the everlasting arms,"—the same arms that guide Arcturus with his sons,—eternal, supreme, divine Principle. Gathering confidence with each succeeding moment of spiritual ascension, we learn to rest upon these wings of Love, whose supporting influence is able to keep us from falling, and thus height after height is reached in our spiritual progress. The beginner in Christian Science, like the lad who first tried the sandals of Hermes and was unable to utilize their bounding wings, may perhaps subject himself to the criticism that he is not balanced, and needs to keep his feet firmly on the ground; in fact, those not in sympathy with Christian Science have been inclined to say that because of these spiritual flights its followers are not practical. Those, however, who know Mrs, Eddy best and who apprehend her teachings, know that she has given to the world an eminently practical religion, and that through the application of definite spiritual laws governing man human misconceptions are set at naught.

The business man, when first perceiving in some measure the beauty of the idealism of Christian Science, may indeed yearn for green pastures beside still waters, where the roar of the mill-wheels ceases and one is alone with God; but Christian Science calls for the practical operative work. The novitiate may try the winged sandals; but wisdom comes to his assistance and says to him: "Where Science found you, there you must demonstrate. Are you able instantaneously to turn the current of a lifetime of previous conceptions into this new thought? Could the pious Polycarp change at once from good to evil? No. Science demands of you practical proofs as well as mere professions. Here you are in business. Whose business is it?" To this the business man is led to answer: "My Father's business." Wisdom asks: "Is the selfishness, the unfair competition, the deception with which you are seemingly surrounded, of God?" The business man must answer: "No, nothing is of God that is not good and in keeping with His government." "If, then," says wisdom, "you are about your Father's business,—whether you are behind a counter, or managing a railroad, or conducting a corporation,—what is your duty?" And in many instances the business man is led to reply: "My business is to demonstrate the power of Truth and Love where I am, realizing that where God would have me be, there I can heal the sick and reform the sinner even if that be confined entirely for the present to changing my own false concepts and uplifting my own sense of the Christ so that my light be not hid under a bushel of error."

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