Article June 26, 1915 Issue

Wise Distribution

LUCY HAYS REYNOLDS

It was a vision of plenty. Spring's planting and summer's blossoming had ripened into fruitage; red-cheeked apples and juicy pears hung heavily from the trees. The farmer had waited patiently for these results of his labor, and he gladly summoned his men to pick and pack the fruit, and load it into wagons. This was done with order and care, and in spite of the abundance, nothing was allowed to go to waste. Carefully distributed, the products of the farm supplied the needs of many thousands in a city near by, and brought just returns to the farmer.

Similarly human consciousness, when rightly cultivated, has its seasons of seed-time and harvest, bearing fruitage for multitudes as well as for the individual. Equally necessary is a wise distribution of its products, and each thought and word should be shared discreetly. As Christian Scientists we do not always remember this. With unwise zeal we often give out our thoughts promiscuously and prematurely. Our motives are right, perhaps, but our methods wrong, so long as we allow human judgment instead of divine wisdom to govern our giving. The successful farmer must secure right channels for distribution, and conform to the rules of the markets with which he deals. Sharing thoughts with others before we have ourselves gained their substance, may cause us to become vain chatterers. A mere intellectual perception of the truth does not make it our own; we must win it through proof. Until a true idea has thus become a vital part of consciousness, it is hazardous to attempt to translate it to others.

Visions seen from the mountain top possibly remain clear for months, but perhaps only for moments. So delicate is exalted thought that it trembles at the least touch of materialism, lest the vision be lost. Even to Mary the Master said, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended." Moses covered his face with a veil when he came down from the mountain. True to spiritual intuition, the little Christian Science child, when asked what he has learned at Sunday school, often makes no reply, but later on—in his play perhaps—is discovered using what he was taught. When each revealed idea is thus kept secret with God and allowed to evolve in consciousness until self-expressed, it will give forth a radiance all divine. Then the deaf ear that could not have accepted its audible presentation, yet feels its glow, and all unconsciously reaches out for its blessings.

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