Article September 28, 1912 Issue

OBJECT-LESSONS

MARY E. HARDY.

Many of us have had periods in our journey heavenward when spiritual perception has so illumined the way that we have been enabled to read an object-lesson in what seem to be the smallest events in daily experience. Thus to us things become but externalized thought, and we gain another step toward the goal where Mind alone will unfold the eternal verities which today are but dimly perceived. In the book of Acts we are told that the apostles "continued steadfastly in the ... breaking of bread, and in prayers." As in our like experiences, this was followed by the natural expansion of thought into expression, for we read: "And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need."

Still we find our object-lesson broadening, as the record says that "Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer." As they approached the Beautiful gate a beggar obstructed the way. Just here we may learn something of the substance which alone is eternal, that on which the holy city is builded, "the city whose builder and maker is God." The two apostles had neither silver nor gold to bestow, but Peter said, "Such as I have give I thee." He gave the lame beggar the truth, and it healed him then and there. What a gift that was we know today in Christian Science! We talk of love, but if we have gained one gleam of its reality it has brought with it the perception that divine Mind alone unfolds all that really is.

Principle is ever expressed in action. We cannot escape the experience that is needed to purify even the best in human thought, that our feet be firmly planted, steadfast and immovable, in Truth. We must some time prove that silver and gold can give us nothing, and that their lack can rob us of "no good thing." Thus we may more clearly reflect the compassionate love which heals the beggar, and with uplifted thought walk through the Beautiful gate into the temple, where riches unfold in idea rather than as substance-matter. We shall then have learned that as we seek "first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," all else is "added" unto us.

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