Article December 16, 1911 Issue

GROWTH

DAISY BEDFORD.

Probably one of the subjects of most interest to the student of Christian Science is that of growth. Our Leader, in her writings, has given us most helpful teaching upon this matter, one of the passages which occurs perhaps most frequently to our thought being that found on page 206 of "Miscellaneous Writings": "Growth is governed by intelligence; by the active, all-wise, law-creating, law-disciplining, law-abiding Principle, God."

It is most necessary in our work with others, as well as in our own experience, that we should be thoroughly cognizant of all that Mrs. Eddy has written regarding spiritual development. Our Master gave us a beautiful illustration of growth when he bade us "consider the lilies"—their gentle unfoldment from the moment the tiny green spear comes into view until the white beauty of the perfected blossom delights the eye. Many students become impatient at their seemingly slow growth, forgetting that each stage of unfoldment can only be complete when the full time for the perfection of each phase of experience is accomplished. We may, out of a desire to bring about a more rapid unfoldment of some cherished plant, loosen the sheath which hides the fresh green leaf from our gaze; but such efforts are never crowned with success, for the delicate leaf was not yet ready to leave its fostering care, and our rough handling and perchance a blast of cold air may destroy its growth. So is it sometimes with students of Christian Science in their earnest desire for Truth and for more rapid progress. They break wilfully away from environment, gentle guidance, or the correction of habits which need the regenerating power of Truth and patient work to set them free, failing to understand that their overweening desire for rapid growth oftentimes fosters those very things which prove a blight and hindrance to advancement; i.c., selfishness, pride, ambition, etc.

We read in I Kings that God was not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but was in the "still small voice;" and as one works on in Christian Science, he sees more and more clearly that harmonious happenings take the place of the storms, tempests, lightnings, and earthquakes of material methods. The tender brooding love of our heavenly Father never injures, never wounds, but blesses all the time, and will, if we are subject to its gentle guidance, bring forth in due season, "first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."

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