Article September 24, 1921 Issue

The Light of Intelligence

CLARA DENNY HAMPSON

Some years ago one who had faith in God but who understood not His word offered earnest prayers for the deliverance of the famine-stricken of India. At length the good news was reported that shiploads of corn were on their way to the famine-stricken country. The earnest one felt that her prayers had been answered, and joy and gratitude filled her heart. After many weeks came another report. The corn had reached its destination, was distributed by carloads; but the natives were unfamiliar with it and did not recognize it as food. As a result many lay down and perished from starvation by the side of the mounds of golden rocks, as they called them, cursing those who had promised food and sent them stones. The golden wealth of nourishing food had reached them; they could see and handle it, but no one came to explain its use, and in the presence of food they died of starvation. Then the heartsick earnest one learned for the first time that ignorance leads to death, and intelligence to life. From that hour her prayers were for the light of intelligence, and this finally led her to the study of Christian Science.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 2) Mrs. Eddy asks: "Are we benefited by praying? Yes, the desire which goes forth hungering after righteousness is blessed of our Father, and it does not return unto us void." How like the starving East Indian's experience had been humanity's experience with regard to the Bible, until Mrs. Eddy discovered Christian Science and gave it to the world. The Bible was to mankind generally as the unfamiliar corn was to the East Indians. It was there, filled with spiritual nourishment, wonderful promises to mankind, but they had not the key to unlock its store of treasures, and ignorance of God caused many to die starving for Spirit. Before Mrs. Eddy gave Christian Science to the world many had cursed God and died in ignorance of Him, hating Him for the promises unfulfilled.

Standing before a window one morning, looking for the sun which had not been seen for nearly a week, the writer was reminded of the density of ignorance by a great bank of clouds in the east. Certainly the task for Christian Scientists seemed hard,—to penetrate the thick clouds of ignorance in the world; depressing even to contemplate, with most of humanity either indifferent to or resisting Christian Science. With a sigh she turned to the daily tasks. Lifting her eyes toward the west window she noticed a pink glow as of sunshine, and looking out she found that although in the east was the same bank of clouds, the west was all aglow with the tender rose-tinged light of dawn. Hastening out into the open and looking up, she saw a small cloud almost directly overhead, so very high it had caught the rays of the sun, apparently hidden behind the bank of clouds in the east, and, filled with light, was reflecting it to the whole world, telling that the sun did shine although unseen.

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