Editorial December 30, 1911 Issue

"THE SENSES OF SOUL."

Annie M. Knott

In thinking upon the songs heard by the shepherds on the night of the nativity, these words of our Leader were recalled: "Divine Science reveals sound as communicated through the senses of Soul—through spiritual understanding" (Science and Health, p. 213). It will be quickly seen that the simple watchers over the flocks must have caught this echo of heavenly harmony through a dawning spiritual sense, for their ready obedience in seeking "the young child," the Christ-idea, shows that they were not dominated by material sense, but that they were willing to follow the heavenly guidance wherever it might lead. It is not possible that the angels have been silent all through the long centuries since that night, or that they have been singing in a far-away heaven, but how many have been ready to hear and heed the message which ever ascribes "glory to God in the highest," and declares "on earth peace, good will toward men"?

It should not be forgotten that the "good tidings of great joy" were to be for "all people;" not alone for those who saw Christ Jesus and experienced his healing and saving power, but to all who in any age are ready to turn away from material sense evidence and to gain the spiritual facts from the senses of Soul. The great Teacher had little regard for the belief in material sense. He said that men had eyes but saw not, and ears but heard not. He then told his students that they should rejoice in being able to behold those things which so many had desired to see but had not seen.

Some may here ask whether, after all, people may not get on very well without knowing anything about the senses of Soul. The answer from the Christian Science viewpoint would be an emphatic No! As the Bible, in the light of Christian Science, opens up to us its priceless treasures, we begin to appreciate the wonders wrought by spiritual sense, not alone when the young man's eyes were opened and he saw "horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha," symbolizing the divine protection which the children of Israel so much needed, but whenever and wherever Truth triumphed over error and proved that God is with His own in every age. This is especially true of the wonders wrought by Christ Jesus, which can only be explained on the assumption that spiritual sense sweeps aside material evidence and accepts only the fact of Life as God, forever reflected by man. The Master said, "If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death." He who said this gave full proof of the truth of his teaching when he gave sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf, when he awoke the widow's son at Nain, restored Jairus' daughter to her sorrowing parents, and called Lazarus forth from the tomb.

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