Article September 13, 1913 Issue

Wells of Elim

J. MORLEY WYARD

In their long years of wandering from the serfdom of Egypt to the fruition of bright hopes, the experience of glorious realities in the promised land, the children of Israel were often reminded by the inexorable logic of events that they carried with them a sense of enslavement which was as grievous to be borne as were the pains and penalties inflicted by Pharaoh. A threatening sea, frowning mountains, burning sands, hostile peoples, bitter waters, consuming thirst, poisonous serpents, endless weariness, distressing homesickness, were only the outward and visible manifestations of the conflict of mortal mind which unceasingly waged within. But there were also gracious reminders that there really was ample provision for all their needs if they would only subdue the dominating rebellious thought, the tenacious belief of life in matter, which constituted their bondage.

The waters of Marah, which were almost undrinkable for their bitterness, had aggravated their tormenting thirst, and the dreary wilderness of Sin was stretched out before them; but they made their early halting-place by the springs of Elim, where, as the record states, there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm-trees. All thirst and weariness were for the time being forgotten, as the full-dowered datepalm, with its frond-like foliage, waved its welcome, and with its wealth of fruitage satisfied their hunger to the limit. It is worthy of note that a modern traveler, who has identified this oasis, says that of the twelve wells there are still open nine springs of living water, and that the "threescore and ten palm-trees" have multiplied to at least two thousand.

Without forcing any parallel for this historic incident, Christian Scientists may rejoice that they have always near and always available the wells of Elim, in the Bible and in their text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," together with the various other writings of their beloved Leader, in the church services, the Christian Science periodicals, the public lectures, and in the many wise and helpful teachers and practitioners. The Christian Science church services are distinguished for their extreme simplicity, their deeply devotional character, their freedom from all intrusive personal presence or opinion, all distracting and oppressive machinery, and for their abounding testimony to the power of Truth.

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