Article January 15, 1916 Issue

Green Pastures and Still Waters

LAURA GERAHTY

During the long, anxious hours of a night of watching by the bedside of her child, a mother had much reason to be grateful for the healing and comfort derived from the twenty-third psalm as illuminated by Christian Science. It was then named "the cooling psalm," and it has ever remained such to the inmates of that home. On many an occasion during the last six years its benediction has been repeated in cases of need. Except the sips of cool water so frequently demanded when the little one was seemingly in a high fever, there was no other alternative employed than the constant repetition of this psalm; and it required little imagination or effort to lift thought from that mental picture of inharmony to the green pastures and the cool waters, while softly repeating to the little sufferer verse of the psalmist's inspiring words.

In the magnificent strength of their simplicity and the uplifting appeal of their great humility lay the restoration, and a quiet not to be found in all the drugs on earth. Because of their familiarity the remedy was close at hand, and between the few moments of sleep snatched at grateful intervals by the side of the little sufferer, the darkness hindered not at all the constant repetition of the well-known words, "The Lord is my shepherd." Mrs. Eddy gives us the spiritual sense of these words when she says divine Love is our Shepherd (see Science and Health, p. 578). Why then are we distressed and anxious when the verity of the Shepherd's care is understood and acknowledged?

"He leadeth me,"—of what consequence is the mortal dream of temperature and even delirium when spiritual sense is serene and peaceful, dwelling in safety, composure, and content in His fold? What matter though mortal sense tells of burning heat, if the pastures are green? And though fear may beckon the watcher to wander off into forbidden and dangerous enclosures, the Shepherd is ever ready to restore the straying sheep and bring it back in safety to the fold. There are no dangers or surprises at the table which the good Shepherd has so lovingly prepared for His own, no lurking enemy to startle or injure them as they pass innocently along in quest of food; for His tender care has chosen the paths of peace and safety, while His rod removes all obstacles and His staff supports the weary.

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