Article December 5, 1914 Issue

Within the Ark

AMY C. FARISS

Writers in all ages have compared the turbulent phases of human experience to the fiercer elements of nature. The "Peace, be still" of Jesus, rebuking wind and wave and quieting mortal fear, calls to mind a picture in which the connection of storm and sea, of fear and turmoil, stands out distinctly.

Perhaps all readers of the Bible have outlined in fancy the beat and fury of the storm, related in the story of the deluge, and have seen the ark in which Noah and his family were safely sheltered, tossing on the waves. We are told that the rain fell and the water rose both day and night. Weeks and months passed as the ark, a mere speck on so vast a sea, rode in security; and for Noah and his little band there was perfect safety within the ark. The waters might foam and rage, the sky might grow black and send forth torrents; the chaos and desolation to outward vision might be complete, — yet those within had God's promise of deliverance, and they rested serenely.

Today, through the pure, clear consciousness of Mrs. Eddy, the world is fast awakening to the fact that we of this age also have God's promise of deliverance. From near and far experiences accumulate to prove that "the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear." One thing is required of us, however, which we must heed if we would see the storms of mortal existence assuged ; if we would hear the "Peace, be still" that today as in Jesus' time silences wind and wave, — we must dwell within our ark as Noah did. We can no more make excursions aside to mingle with this or that form of error, than Noah could have entered a frail skiff and expected to brave in safety the surging sea. In wisdom we can no more go back to some hindering earth-attraction and think to linger engrossingly there, than Noah could have tarried without the ark, holding to some material possession with the flood threatening to engulf him.

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