Article March 25, 1922 Issue

"Peace, be still"

HELEN FRIEND-ROBINSON

The gospels are replete with vivid descriptions of the words and works of Christ Jesus, which are not only intensely interesting, but preeminently necessary in solving the life-problems of all who are seeking divine guidance from the Scriptures. The story of Christ stilling the tempest on the Lake of Gennesaret, for example, is always helpful to the student of Christian Science. We can see the Master embarking on the little vessel off the shore of Galilee, his disciples obediently following, as they launched forth. Then there arose a great tempest on the lake, so that the little craft was covered with the waves and they were in jeopardy. The fear and consternation of the disciples as the Master slept, and their sudden effort to awaken him when danger pressed too heavily upon them,—these are all so typical of the student's own unnumbered experiences that he finds it helpful to contemplate still further this mental panorama. At the appeal, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" we are told that the Master arose, rebuked first the fear of his disciples, then rebuked the wind with his "Peace, be still;" and then "there was a great calm." And the disciples marveled, saying among themselves, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

As in Jesus' time, so it is to-day. Every one who is striving obediently to follow the Master, in so far as he discerns and tries to live the truth as taught in the Bible and our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, has mentally launched forth. At first he may find clear sailing, but our Leader wisely says in Science and Health (p. 254), "If you launch your bark upon the ever-agitated but healthful waters of truth, you will encounter storms." Sooner or later the student will encounter the storms of human belief that would endeavor to make shipwreck of his faith. This should not cause dismay; for Christ Jesus, the great Way-shower, was tempted and tried in all points as we are; yet, we are told, it was without sin that he met and overcame the world, the flesh, and all evil, thus paving the way of salvation for all mankind who understand and obey his loving commands. No one in this age has encountered such storms of human criticism as did Mrs. Eddy, the Leader of the Christian Science movement; yet she never faltered; but went bravely on, her whole life a noble example of loving patience amidst persecution, consummating her life-purpose of bequeathing to humanity the rich legacy of the demonstrable understanding of Jesus' teaching and works.

Instances of such persecution only emphasize the inference that evil claims to resist the highest exponents of Truth; but, in spite of this, the truth for which they stand is vindicated and remains inviolate for all time, proving that even if apparently "crushed to earth" (Miscellany, p. 128), truth will surely rise again. Though seeming to be something, evil has, in reality, no power; and all disciples of Christ Jesus are privileged to unite on this one basis of mutual understanding in order to thwart the foes of human progress.

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