Article January 18, 1913 Issue

INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION

WILLIAM B. HAINES, B.S.

During a recent eclipse of the sun, the writer's attention was attracted by the unusual appearance of the shadow of a tree. As the sun shone through the network of leaves, there was figured upon the ground a number of bright patches of light, each having the shape of a thin crescent. This phenomenon is readily explained by simple physical laws, and from it the student of Christian Science may learn several significant lessons. The science of optics shows that when a separate ray from the sun shines through a small interstice, it reproduces on the ground a complete image of the sun's disc, and not, as might be supposed, an outline of the aperture itself. This accounts for the patchwork of bright discs reflected on the ground, which is commonly observed when the sun shines through a curtain or the leaves of a tree. In the particular case mentioned, the peculiar appearance was simply due to the change in shape of the eclipsed sun. The apparent change from a full circle to a crescent was reproduced in each image on the ground.

Mrs. Eddy has frequently used the simile of the sun and its rays in the endeavor to make clear the scientific relationship between God and man. In Science and Health (p. 250) she writes: "Like a ray of light which comes from the sun, man, the outcome of God, reflects God." Each separate ray gives a complete individual image of the sun. So we learn in divine Science that each man is an individual, spiritual image of his Fatehr-Mother or creator. The simile enables us to grasp this truth more clearly in its various bearings. The fact that each image faithfully reproduced all the apparent changes in the shape of the sun's disc, typifies man's reflection of the activities of the parent Mind. Only that which has its place and origin in this Mind can find its expression in the real man.

Thus is uncovered the error of believing that sin or disease is any part of man, and the way is made clear for their disappearance as baseless falsities. All that is evil in our experience is eliminated just in proportion as this real man is put on. The process is a change of human consciousness, as described by Paul in the words, "We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory." Thought must turn wholly to God, reach out to know and to obey; then the real man is put on spontaneously. The attainment of spiritual manhood should not seem to be veiled in obscurity. Life, Truth, and Love shining into the purified consciousness bring forth their own image and likeness, which is man. So man will be revealed if we first seek God as our All-in-all.

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