Article August 24, 1918 Issue

The Fullness of Reflection

LEONARD ANN

On page 301 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy has written, "Few persons comprehend what Christian Science means by the word reflection." It is well, therefore, to ask ourselves what we understand by this word, the proper comprehension of which is shown to be of such primary importance, since, in fact, on a clear apprehension of its meaning depends the perception of our relationship to God and, therefore, our ability to demonstrate that relationship practically here and now. All words which form part of our daily vocabulary have by usage associated themselves with certain meanings and significations which have often been somewhat vague and incomplete; but until Christian Science with its more exact use of words has come to us, this is not always apparent. Taking as an example the word reflection, there comes at once the thought of the mirror with its reflected picture, and then again perhaps the sea or pool of water with the reflected light of the sun or moon. A moment's thought, however, will show how limited and imperfect is this idea of reflection, if regarded materially, for the mirrored picture of one's self is but a flat and superficial resemblance, lacking the living qualities of the original and retaining only the appearance perceptible to the sense of sight. Again, the sun's reflection in water, while retaining some appearance of light, fails to reflect to any extent the quality of heat.

Now, in Science and Health (p. 475) we learn that "man is spiritual and perfect; and ... reflects spiritually all that belongs to his Master." Here, it will be seen, reflection is more in the nature of expression; it signifies a sense of derived power and God-given ability to overcome all material conditions and claims to power. It is not a reflection of outward form, but an expression of qualities; the infinite power of the cause is expressed in the derived power of the effect, and this expression or reflection is entity, and is the substance of man. Mrs. Eddy has written in her work "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 57): "Man shines by borrowed light. He reflects God as his Mind, and this reflection is substance,—the substance of good." If we turn to such sciences and arts as mathematics and music, we notice the inseparability of the cause and its effect, or expression, and how the latter is absolutely dependent on the former. Without numbers and notes both mathematics and music would be unexpressed,—and in Christian Science man as God's idea is equally necessary for the expression or reflection of God.

As we study this subject of reflection in Mrs. Eddy's writings we find that our Leader clearly shows the inseparable relationship of God and man as Principle and its reflection, and the substantiality and fullness of this reflection; we gain, too, a broader comprehension of what is meant in Christian Science by the word reflection. Paul's words in the third chapter of II Corinthians (Revised Version) show clearly the deep significance of this idea. The passage reads: "But we all, with unveiled face reflecting as a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit." The marginal reading here is "beholding as in a mirror," which is linked very closely to the teachings of Christian Science.

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