Article September 25, 1920 Issue

The Symbol of the Sun

G. HAMILTON BERRY

On page 575 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy tells us, "Spiritual teaching must always be by symbols," and in this connection it is helpful to review the wealth of instruction contained in the symbol or idea of the sun. To the unillumined human mind, before the advent of the light of Christian Science, the sun typifies the source of energy and wellspring of material existence. Anciently, sun worship was a common religion, and while the twentieth century mortal prides himself on being superior to a benighted heathen, it is found on examination that belief in the reality of matter and material existence is tantamount to worshiping the sun.

Now in the Bible it is plainly stated, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," and this me is Spirit; and again, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Nevertheless the majority of mankind have refused to obey the voice of Principle and give up their belief in material pleasure and pain. As the revelator of Truth to this age, Mrs. Eddy has taken the idea of the sun and translated it back into its original spiritual signification. Thus we read in the Glossary of Science and Health (p. 595): "Sun. The symbol of Soul governing man,—of Truth, Life, and Love."

Just as the sun's rays shining out clearly cause the ice to melt and the mist to vanish, so the glorious light of Soul, Love, Principle, is ceaselessly streaming forth, utterly vanquishing the frozen adamant of self–love and the clinging mist of subtlety. Nothing that is unlike God, good, can be truly real, and when once the sunlight of Truth is turned upon the false belief, it matters not what it claims to be, it simply and necessarily has to vanish into its native nothingness. The only thing necessary is that we turn to the light, get human selfhood out of the way, and let the light do its work, unhindered by the darkness of our material fears and fallacies. This turning constitutes the right way in Christian Science.

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