Article October 28, 1916 Issue

Stirring

LENA PROBST

One day, while studying our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, my eyes fell on the following passage (p. 540): "The muddy riverbed must be stirred in order to purify the stream." I was then led to ponder somewhat the word "stirred." In order to comprehend in a practical manner its meaning, I began to apply it to the home, and soon discovered many instances where the thrifty housewife finds it necessary to produce a stir before obtaining the harmonious results which she beholds in her mental horizon. Every housewife knows that the purified home has first undergone a stir, and she also realizes that during the process her surroundings may not present the most inviting aspect; but with her gaze resting beyond the evidence of the senses, she continues undisturbed her work of eliminating all that would tend to mar the orderliness, beauty, and harmony of the home. She also realizes that in order successfully to carry on this cleansing work the first requisite is light.

Comparing the above with the operation of Christian Science, or the Christ, Truth, we find a striking similarity, for here too the first requisite is light. While walking in the darkness of materiality no special stir is thought necessary, but when the light of Truth dawns upon the benighted sense it shines upon a consciousness where years of wrong thinking have produced a heavy settling, and since "Christian Science goes to the bottom of mental action" (Science and Health, p. 104), it will be seen that a stir is inevitable before the settlings can be removed. While this cleansing upheaval is taking place, the neophyte in this new world of thought, who naturally is unfamiliar with its ways and methods, may feel that he has cause for discouragement; but the apostle Paul, through his clear apprehension of how the "outward man" must perish in order to have the "inward man," the man made after God's image and likeness, appear, tells us that "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

To illustrate in a measure this divine operation of the truth, I wish to relate a little incident of my childhood which has often proven helpful to me. Close by our home there was a small pool of water which was supplied by a brooklet, and as there was frequent use for the water, the pool was maintained; but in order to do so it was found necessary occasionally to remove the settlings. I remember how interesting it was to watch the resultant disturbed and muddy condition become clearer and clearer through the operation of the little stream from above. As this clear, pure water continued to flow into the pool, it simply crowded out all that was unlike itself, and this without being petitioned to do something, or outlining its task and how to perform it; in other words, it was left free to perform its task simply by following its natural course. However, some little time would usually be consumed in completing this work, as the tiny particles composing the disturbing elements in the pool seemed to offer resistance in that they would be whirled over and over before they would finally be cast out and thus destroyed.

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