Article August 31, 1918 Issue

Pictures

ADA BRUEGGERHOFF

There is a great diversity of opinion as to what may be considered idolatry. For many centuries people of civilized countries believed that they had outgrown the practice of idolatry, but within the past fifty years a prophet has appeared and has explained to the world that belief in the power of matter is idolatry. This explanation has aroused much discussion, but people are slowly awakening to its truth. In studying the journeyings of the Israelites from Egypt through the wilderness to the land of Canaan, the promised land, we are impressed with the command given to them to keep their thoughts free from idolatrous pictures. As the inhabitants of the promised land were idol worshipers, it is claimed that every object which they wrought had on it the stamp of matter worship; therefore it was necessary for the Israelites to use every precaution to keep their minds free from these false images.

Through the teachings of Christian Science we learn that the long journey of the Israelites through the wilderness into the land of promise symbolizes the journey from sense to Soul, and that the wilderness is the wilderness of human sense and doubt. The Israelites were guided to a realization of the ever presence of God, and of the fact that He alone was the source of their supply, protection, and guidance. They had to learn that there was no other dependence. No material reliance was visible; therefore they had either to trust God to sustain them or else to starve. If they relied on God they had ample protection, supply, and guidance, as was shown by their escape from the Egyptians through the Red Sea, by the manna which came down from heaven, by the water which flowed from the rock, by the pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night, and by many other evidences of God's care. The Israelites, however, did not always rely on God, and as a result of lack of trust in Him they were attacked at times by many strong enemies, such as doubt and distrust of God's power, and were put to many tests that they might prove His all-power and substance.

Forty years were spent in their journeying,—their spiritual preparation,—until many of the older generation had passed away and the younger generation had learned to rely more fully on God. Then they were allowed to enter the promised land. They learned that in order to possess this land they must comply with numerous requirements; that since the people were idolatrous, all their pictures and images must be destroyed; that although the land was fertile it had to be cultivated according to the understanding of spiritual law and obedience thereto, for the Israelites had learned that God alone gives the increase. To-day human sense is stubborn, as it was with the Israelites of old, and a long night of suffering seems to be required that there may be a turning from trust in materiality to reliance on God. On page 240 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy gives this caution: "Remember that mankind must sooner or later, either by suffering or by Science, be convinced of the error that is to be overcome." We must know that we are just as strongly enjoined to keep our minds free from idolatrous concepts as were the Israelites. We must also realize that God alone supplies every human need and sustains us; that though we may be in the wilderness of doubt we can enter the promised land when we give up for Truth all belief in matter and keep before us only the ideal of spiritual perfection.

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