Article May 7, 1921 Issue

"Arise up quickly"

CONSTANCE STEVENS

ON page 271 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy says of students of Christian Science, "They should take our magazine, work for it, write for it, and read it." The writer has gained so much benefit from reading our literature and through the daily study of the Lesson-Sermon that she would like to express the thoughts which unfolded in the study of Peter's deliverance from prison, with the hope that they may prove a help to some one struggling to overcome error.

Herod, symbolic of hatred and malice, stretched forth his hands to vex and harass those who were preaching and teaching the Christ-principle, and so greatly was error stirred that, after killing one of the disciples, he proceeded to take Peter also and imprison him. Peter, who had become mesmerized temporarily by this belief in evil with its seeming power, was sleeping between two soldiers and bound with chains. Error seemingly had him fast, determined not to let him go, but an angel came unto him, surely that sweetest messenger of all, of whom Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 567), "Gabriel has the more quiet task of imparting a sense of the ever-presence of ministering Love." This angel, illuming the prison with light, bade Peter, "Arise up quickly." Awakening somewhat from the mesmeric dream, he rose up mentally, and with the mental uprising the chains fell from his hands, and he regained his mental poise and ability to handle the situation with power. The next step required was that he gird himself and bind on his sandals. Peter, listening intently, was ready to obey, without questioning or doubt, this angel visitant. Then came the injunction: "Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me." When the Christly garment of righteousness was put on, Peter was ready for the journey. This mental preparation had taken place within the prison; this work faithfully performed enabled Peter to prove when they reached the iron gate "that leadeth unto the city" that, in the words of Mrs. Eddy (Science and Health, p. 224), "No power can withstand divine Love," for it "opened to them of his own accord" and they passed out. Peter had earned his freedom, and what a wonderful vision must have met his gaze. Even in that exalted state of consciousness, however, the angel did not leave him until they "passed on through one street."

The lessons to be learned from this story are many and beautiful. It matters not how dark the night nor how deep the sleep, nor in what environment, divine Love is able to penetrate with its clear-cut command: "Let there be light," and in the presence of light there is no darkness nor sleep. How often would one be saved many hours of work and tears if one obeyed as Peter the "Arise up quickly," instead of leaving things until a more convenient season. The chains would fall from his hands and he would be in a position to gird up his loins with truth and bind on his sandals and cast about him his garment. As each step is faithfully taken in our journey the next one unfolds, until at last the prison is left far behind, and we can walk forth in glorious freedom, obeying only the behests of the divine Principle, Love, to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils," and remembering every moment that we are cared for and always protected by our loving Father-Mother God.

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