Editorial October 5, 1918 Issue

Water of Everlasting Life

William D. McCrackan

Humanity is athirst for the water of life. It has been offered water as bitter as gall by false theology, the hemlock of martyrdom in requital for the desire to reform the world, and stupefying potions to appease the longing for self-forgetfulness. These nostrums do not contain the "living water" of which Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman; rather did he say to her, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." Then this individual, belonging to the weaker sex (so called) and to a semi-idolatrous and despised nation, uttered the words which are being wrung to-day from countless millions, "Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw."

Many centuries after the incident here described another woman, speaking with the authority of spiritual revelation, wrote in her epoch making textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 570): "Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences." Whoever at this hour can assure the fearful and doubting that the only real life is eternal, is giving the thirsty to drink of Christ's "living water," and is being blessed while blessing others.

The "river of water of life" is without end. Its tributaries correspond to the ever flowing activities of Spirit. There is no stagnation in that river or its branches; with irresistible impulsion they flow and overflow until there is not one spot in all creation which is not permeated with this living water. All mankind can drink of it, be refreshed, strengthened, and sustained by it; it purifies and beautifies; it causes the flowers of loving-kindness and rejoicing to grow; it brightens the meekness of the grass; the birds of the air, as aspirations, bathe in its pools. The surface of this living water reflects the glories of the universe, outlines man's at-one-ment with God, and reproduces and multiplies the infinitude of ever active life without end.

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Among the Churches
October 5, 1918
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