Editorial February 14, 1920 Issue

The Clean Windowpane

Ella W. Hoag

"The manifestation of God through mortals is as light passing through the window-pane. The light and the glass never mingle, but as matter, the glass is less opaque than the walls. The mortal mind through which Truth appears most vividly is that one which has lost much materiality—much error—in order to become a better transparency for Truth. Then, like a cloud melting into thin vapor, it no longer hides the sun." So writes Mrs. Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 295). Herein she presents a most helpful comparison which may be carried to its ultimate with much profit.

There is no Christian Scientist who does not long to become a perfect "transparency for Truth," who does not work and pray for that complete purification of sense and self which shall enable him to reflect only the glories of infinite Truth and Love. All are continually seeking to understand and appropriate the exact and perfect method of Christian Science in such full measure that nothing shall hinder their constant advancement in the understanding and demonstration of the truth that man is in reality the reflection of divine Mind. In this earnest endeavor they are confronted with the problem of learning how to keep their windowpanes clean—how to keep their thinking free from all that is false and contaminating, from all that would obscure or dim the bright shining of the light of perfection and holiness which shall help the world to recognize and adore the ever present Christ.

When one begins to discern the revelation of Christian Science, he is not long in discovering that his windowpane is so thickly coated with beliefs in evil, both within and without, that it seems almost a miracle that there is any least point through which the light of Truth can penetrate. Then he first awakens to the necessity of that baptism of Spirit which shall wash away all materiality. He commences to experience what our Leader portrays in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 203), where she says: "The baptism of repentance is indeed a stricken state of human consciousness, wherein mortals gain severe views of themselves; a state of mind which rends the veil that hides mental deformity. Tears flood the eyes, agony struggles, pride rebels, and a mortal seems a monster, a dark, impenetrable cloud of error; and falling on the bended knee of prayer, humble before God, he cries, 'Save, or I perish.' Thus Truth, searching the heart, neutralizes and destroys error."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Among the Churches