Article June 4, 1921 Issue

Manna

THEOPHILUS ALLEN

HUMAN experiences are apparently similar throughout all human history. In emergence at any time from bondage to freedom, one encounters difficulties, and unless the search for liberty is founded upon right motives, mortals are apt to take backward glances and regret positions left for what seems uncertain and precarious in a forward movement. To-day, as in the past, mortals are just as apt to be grumbling and discontented in their wanderings through the wilderness of beliefs as were the children of Israel, crying out for the cucumbers, melons, and fleshpots of Egypt. Deliverance nevertheless is ever nigh. As Moses pointed out the omnipotence of Mind, and proved God's presence and power to the discontented children in the wilderness of Sin, and they received "the bread from heaven," so to-day the infinite supply of divine Principle is ever present and capable of proof by right apprehension and application.

The Scripture narrative in regard to the supply of manna is thus related in the book of Exodus. When the children of Israel beheld the strange white substance on the ground, they exclaimed, "What is this?" "for they wist not what it was." Unaware of the proper term for this strange gift, which had rained down from heaven, the wondering people cried out, "What is it?" There was nothing ambiguous in Moses' reply. It was direct and plain enough for all to comprehend. "This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat." Certain instructions followed as to how this food should be gathered, in a manner exactly suited to all. Full assurance was given of an ample provision for all, "every man according to his eating." The Sabbath supply had to be gathered the previous day with the promise of its freshness for sabbatical use; on any other day the attempt made to preserve a supply for the morrow would prove futile, as any surplus would be found unfit for use. It is plain that the clear and comprehensive directions given meant of necessity strict obedience to Mind and Mind's mandates. Here was Moses, proclaiming God's message, that the supply was always equal to the demand. The assimilation of the truth would clearly mean the elimination of all error. No one could assimilate more than the allotted daily portion. In the measure of his obedience he realized the sufficiency of his supply. It came as daily supply, not to be hoarded, but as positive proof of Mind's omnipotence and ever readiness to supply all needs each day.

It is not strange to find the same question voiced to-day. Men and women who in the midst of trials, in a wilderness teeming with human beliefs, turn to Christian Science, usually approach the subject with the same undetermined query, "What is it?" later to decide that the answer is just as directly given, and Christian Science is indeed "the bread of heaven." In the measure the fact is apprehended, that "bread of heaven" is the equivalent of "bread of life," in that ratio do we assimilate the truth of being. Christ Jesus in his ministry pointed out clearly to the Jews the distinction between the manna of the wilderness and the true bread from heaven, for it is recorded in the gospel according to John, "For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world." Christ Jesus sums up his whole discourse with the final statement, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." The writer of the Apocalypse determines this fact when he refers to "the hidden manna," which the Spirit provides as sustenance "to him that overcometh."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"Without seam or rent"