Article August 13, 1921 Issue

The Law of Gravitation

FANNY DE GROOT HASTINGS

ON page 60 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy writes: "Every material belief hints the existence of spiritual reality; and if mortals are instructed in spiritual things, it will be seen that material belief, in all its manifestations, reversed, will be found the type and representative of verities priceless, eternal, and just at hand." In place of every so-called law of nature stands the spiritual law awaiting our perception. So it is with the law of gravitation. Every one knows the mortal aspect of it. Ask the man in the street, and he will tell you that it is the attraction which the earth holds for all material bodies.

Only when we turn from the material aspect and waken to its spiritual significance do we realize the true meaning of the law of gravitation. From this latter point of view it is the original and ultimate law of man's inseparability from God, of which Moses spoke when he declared, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms," and to which Mrs. Eddy referred when she wrote in Science and Health (Pref., p. vii), "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings." This is the new-old law which Christian Science is again writing in our hearts. We are learning that "the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof," and that the idea of good is held in its own perfect place in that universe through all eternity. In the light of a richer understanding we read: "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

In reality we cannot be found in conditions or surroundings where God, Love, is not, and in proportion to our realization of this great fact will all apparent discord vanish. Though at times we may seem tested, and doubt, self-pity, or fear may lead us to exclaim: "Why hast thou forsaken me?" we can rest in this blessed assurance: "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." We are but little children in our study of Truth, still in a measure held down by the earth weights and gravitations of a false sense of self, but we are beginning to take our first steps Godward, and the eternal God is our refuge, and the everlasting arms have no sense of time or weariness.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

On the Washing of Hands