Article June 16, 1917 Issue

"As the dew"

JOY E. R. ZINT

What more adequate simile could be used to express the invigorating, refreshing effect of the consciousness of God's presence with His people, than the assurance given through Hosea, "I will be as the dew unto Israel." It is one of the many promises of which mankind is beholding the fulfilment in this age in the health giving, joy reviving influence of Christian Science.

Metaphysically speaking, we may say that like the flowers in our gardens our heads are sometimes drooping and our hearts are weary because the slothful south wind has lulled us into inactivity. Perhaps we have lapsed into a state of mental lethargy; or the sharp east wind of criticism has cut and lashed us till thought is filled with self-pity; or possibly a cold north wind of condemnation has chilled us into believing that we are shut out from the sunshine of divine Love. Under all these circumstances it were well to recall Hosea's promise. On the other hand, it may have been the wind of waywardness and self-will which has urged us into unrighteous zeal; but from whatever direction the tendency has come, however blistering has been the heat of the day, in the quiet of evening comes the dew of the divine presence and we are refreshed. The gardens tended by Love are gladdened.

In the Glossary of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy thus defines evening: "Mistiness of mortal thought; weariness of mortal mind; obscured views; peace and rest" (p. 586). In physical nature the evening must be clear and still in order that the dew may form on the blossom; so, metaphysically considered, if the winds of error are blowing about clouds of discontent or discouragement, no dew will form. The dew does not rise, it does not fall, but it is made manifest, just as the abiding presence of God is never withdrawn; yet as mortals we must become conscious of His presence in manifest health and happiness.

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