Article November 4, 1922 Issue

"Quiet resting places"

ANNIE M. KNOTT

In the thirty-second chapter of Isaiah we have presented to us by a number of different figures the changes wrought in human consciousness when the Spirit is "poured upon us from on high." We are told of the king who "shall reign in righteousness." This at once invites us to lift thought above the human sense of kingship to the kingdom of God, wherein divine Principle rules with absolute justice for all. In this chapter we find a call to those who are at ease in materiality to listen to the voice of Truth; and it points out the likelihood that those who are willing to linger on the plane of material sense may be troubled for a long time, and that instead of the much sought pleasures of mortal sense only "thorns and briers" will be found. Then we come to the period of spiritual awakening with its promises of countless blessings, among which is to be found this comforting assurance: "My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places."

In Christian Science we learn that all the good things revealed through spiritual understanding may, in the truest sense, be attained right where we are, and however we may seem to be situated according to material sense; for it cannot be denied that, although one might dwell in a splendid mansion, he might yet fail to realize there the "peaceable habitation," spoken of by the prophet, or find therein a quiet resting place. As we dwell upon this subject, thought turns instinctively to a place prepared by divine Love and wisdom to meet human need in this respect; namely, the Christian Science Sanatorium in Brookline, Massachusetts. Those who go there as guests have already, in nearly all cases, experienced in some degree the healing power of divine Truth as revealed to this age in Christian Science; but the journey from sense to Soul is a long one, humanly speaking, and there are many lessons to be learned on the way, without which progress at times might seem to be retarded or even stopped. There is, however, no such thing as going back, or even looking back, after one has really turned away from the things of mortal sense to the imperishable things of Spirit, but instead, every opportunity to go forward must be gladly laid hold upon.

In thinking upon the need for higher and clearer views of existence, we may well recall the Master's words to his disciples, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while." Our beloved Leader, with her wise foresight of what would best meet this need, characterized the home of the Benevolent Association as a place to which invalids "can go and recruit" (Sentinel, Oct. 7, 1916). Hence the provision of a quiet resting place, adapted to human need at this period of world upheaval.

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