Editorial March 4, 1911 Issue

LIGHT AFTER DARKNESS

John B. Willis

Among the many ineffaceable memories which the visitor to the Vatican galleries is destined to bring away with him is that of "The Sleeping Ariadne," an antique marble so exquisitely modeled, so instinct with glorious art, as to be universally regarded as the product of a master hand. It recalls the story of Theseus, and his escape from the famous Dædalian labyrinth, which he entered to slay the Minotaur, and in which he would have been hopelessly immured had it not been for the loving-kindness of this fair king's daughter, who supplied him the clew which he followed to freedom. To the Christian Scientist it cannot fail to bring remembrance also of his years of wandering in the labyrinth of material sense, whence he too has been extricated through the guidance of one who came to him bearing in her hands the glowing lamp of Truth.

With the hope of finding the freedom of an open sky, aspiring thought in all the years has been groping in the darkness of this belief and that, but there has been no satisfying demonstration of truth, and after a longer or shorter period of heroic "trying," the seemingly inescapable aspects of the situation have, in many an instance, been accepted and a state of negative indifference or positive unbelief has been entered upon. In every Christian community there are not a few such saddened souls, who freely confess that their thought is confused and unsettled regarding even the essentials of faith. They may retain their church connection, but their spiritual enthusiasm has passed away.

Knowing from their own past experience the dissatisfaction and doubt which thus burden other noble hearts, Christian Scientists grow ever more grateful that where the way once seemed blurred and undefined, there is now clear vision. It is not possible to think that there is any self-contradiction in the realm of Truth. All things are open to Him with whom we have to do, hence the naturalness of the call of God, "Come now, and let us reason together;" hence the assurance and repose of the Master's thought; hence, too, the insistence of Christian Science that righteousness means right-mindedness, the thinking of God's thoughts after Him, the apprehension of divine Science.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Editorial
GROWTH
March 4, 1911
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit