Article May 10, 1913 Issue

REFUGE

WILLIAM THORNTON BROCKLEBANK.

A very helpful lesson was brought to the writer from a visit to what is known as Holy Island, the home of St. Cuthbert, the beloved father of the faithful, in the early days of Christianity in England. In order to visit this island, one has to cross the channel which divides it from the mainland. This is passable on foot twice daily, at ebbtide; and legends tell us that this was one of the miracles of the great saint, which enabled pilgrims to be present at services in the church. The pilgrims were sometimes beset with perils from the waters being driven in sooner than was expected by the strong winds from the sea; and in order to escape danger from these, places of refuge were erected at intervals across the channel, where those in peril could mount by means of stairs and wait until the waters subsided. On these places of refuge are inscribed passages from the Scriptures to encourage the pilgrim.

The writer well remembers a visit to Holy Island, when the day was stormy and the sky gray; and although there were no perils from the sea, yet mentally the passage from sense to Soul seemed stormy, as he was then a pilgrim and a stranger approaching the land of Christian Science, struggling with old-time faiths and those who adhered to them. This was his mood when a place of refuge with its comforting and assuring message gave him rest above the sea of error, for, directly in front of him, in the place of refuge, were written these words of the Master, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

These inspiring words have ofttimes proved a place of refuge when the way seemed dark and stormy and the perils great and near. The psalmist tells us that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." When we are in trouble, we naturally seek help, also a place of refuge, and our realization of this is through prayer. When prayer is answered through spiritual understanding, then we are in the place of refuge, the kingdom our Father has given us, which we come to understand through the spiritual interpretation of the Lord's Prayer (Science and Health, pp. 16, 17). The only true place of safety is outlined in our Leader's beautiful hymn (Poems, p. 4),—

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