Editorial August 3, 1918 Issue

"Beauty and bounty"

Annie M. Knott

At this time of the year, and this year of all times, thought turns gladly away from rumors of strife, carnage, and destruction, to the panorama spread over field and forest, reflecting what Mrs. Eddy calls "the beauty and bounty of Life everlasting" (Miscellany, p. 260). It would seem as if the desire to forget self in order to feed the hungry in other lands had opened wide the windows of heaven; and ripening grain, with fruit and flower, tells of the unmeasured provision of divine Love. Truly is God dealing bountifully with us, and this reminds us of the wise man's words, "He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed," which may be taken to mean that we on our part must see all good and be ready to share it with others.

We read in the Old Testament that the children of Israel were to have abundant harvests and freedom from destructive insects so long as they were obedient to divine law; indeed it is clear to the student of Christian Science that these pests but typify the errors of mortal mind, for nothing which is unlike the divine nature can be found in the kingdom of God. At this time when spiritual law is being so constantly declared and invoked by Christian Scientists the world over, we see its operations in the promise of a rich harvest, and recall the prophet Joel's words: "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things. ... the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. ... And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God."

This harmonious condition is at present marked in many localities by the disappearance of destructive pests; and as we observe this with thankfulness we begin to look more deeply into "the reign of law," which to the Christian Scientist means the reign of divine Principle and the law which heals the sick, reforms the sinful, and supplies all human need out of the unsearchable riches of divine Love. As we look upon the harvest fields we think upon that harvest of which Jesus spoke when he said to his disciples, "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." This truly is the real cause for our rejoicing, which lifts thought high above the barns filled with plenty, and reminds us that on the world's great battle fields the word of Life is going forth through the literature of Christian Science, and is telling the men of all nations that the teachings of Christ Jesus are as truly for the present hour as they were when he healed the sick and suffering and raised the dead in Palestine.

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