Article April 25, 1914 Issue

More Light

WILLIAM D. MC CRACKAN, M.A.

The cry goes up from many sides for more light. The sinner, terrified by the assault and confused by the ambush of error, echoes this cry. It comes from the dark chamber of bereavement, from the bed of agony, from those philosophically inclined, those who have the love of wisdom but who have not yet found wisdom itself. The cry for more light is heard wherever bigotry and arrogance have not stifled this spontaneous appeal. There may be will-o'-the-wisps to lead astray, to delude momentarily the unwary, but deep down in every human heart is the desire which can never be satisfied except by that one "true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

This light for which every one longs is divine. It is not physical, but metaphysical; not ecclesiastical, but spiritual. It comes to each one individually; not to nations or communities as such, not necessarily to families as a whole, but to the individuals composing these groups. Every sincere seeker must learn to follow the rays of this light for himself, taking for his guide "the inspired Word of the Bible" (Science and Health, p. 497). When he finds this light, it will illumine his darkness, and he in turn will radiate light to others and live in a reflected glory which will never grow dim. To radiate means also to enlighten; but in order to be one's self a reflector of the light, there must needs be first a perception of the light itself. The great service of Mrs. Eddy to mankind has been the discovery, not only of the light itself, but also of the method by which all may learn to become reflectors of it.

At the entrance to the harbor of New York stands a monumental statue entitled "Liberty Enlightening the World." The artistic purpose of this work is obvious and essentially noble. It is an attempt to personify the second of that triad of "unalienable rights" mentioned in the American Declaration of Independence, namely, liberty. Personified liberty stands at the doors of the western world for a constant reminder and inspiration. The torch of the statue is symbolical of light. But the Christian, scientifically trained, recognizes that more than the light of political liberty is requisite for complete character building, whether of the individual or the nation. Much as this liberty is prized, and the atmosphere of liberty recognized as favorable to spiritual growth, yet its rays will not suffice to lighten the world and satisfy a deep-seated desire after God. Nothing less than Life, Truth, and Love can do this,—Life standing for adhesion and cohesion, Truth for potency, and Love for attraction, as explained on page 124 of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy.

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