Article September 11, 1915 Issue

What Shall We Render?

EMMA C. MERRELL

During one of my favorite rambles in a picturesque part of the country where I live, I was contemplating the beauties of nature, all the more enhanced as viewed in the light of Christian Science, when from a short distance away there came cries, as if from a child in distress. There appeared to be no one in sight, but recalling that some little while before, several children had passed in that direction, I hastened to the spot, and found a small boy who was unable to proceed any farther in a steep climb. Evidently the other children had bravely made the ascent, thoughtlessly leaving the little fellow to struggle up as best he could. He had reached a point where to have made a move backward might have proved dangerous, while to go forward seemed impossible, owing to the steepness of the way. I therefore picked him up and carried him to the top, then set him on his feet, and away he ran.

I should probably have felt amply rewarded if this little incident had simply served as a reminder of what it had meant to me as a student of Christian Science to be mentally set on my own feet, especially in the earlier stages of my experience, when certain problems came up for solution. One instance in particular is recalled, when I was quite young in my understanding of Christian Science and was trying to solve a seemingly difficult problem. No other Christian Scientists were living very near me at that time, and owing to the tenacity of mortal mind with its beliefs, my beclouded sense of things threatened to outweigh the little light I had to cast upon the question. On page 174 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says, "The angels of His presence . . . are our guardians in the gloom." So it proved, for as I was earnestly seeking for more light a knock came at the front door, the caller being a Christian Scientist whom I had met some time before. This "friend in need" stayed for about a couple of hours,—and what a helpful time it proved to be! How I drank in the truth this student had to impart! My fears were allayed, my problem was solved, and I found that a certain physical inharmony, which was very much in evidence when the visitor came, had practically disappeared by the time he left.

But to return to my little parable,—what affected me most, as I stood watching the boy, was this: when he had gone a little distance, he suddenly turned round as if he wanted to know who his rescuer was, and smiled back to me his thanks. I do not know whether he had really seen me before this, for when found he was lying with his face downward and I had approached him from the back; but when I took him up he ceased crying almost instantly, as if content to know he was being borne onward in a pair of arms which were holding him close.

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