Article June 24, 1922 Issue

Stages of Experience

GRACE E. ADAMSON

Viewed from the standpoint of materiality, human life may appear to present a series of developments each one of which is fraught with some more or less painful experience. Through all its years age is considered a factor for either good or ill. How often is the question asked, "How old is he (or she)?" and, probably, according to the answer is the verdict pronounced of what may be anticipated, from the cutting of teeth in infancy to beliefs of loss beyond maturity. What a contrast to this is the statement made by Mrs. Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 66), "Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love"! If only each period of development in human life were anticipated with confident certainty of the truth of this statement, what suffering and discord would be avoided!

"I cannot do as I did ten years ago," is often the plaintive cry of one who is advancing in years. But does not the character of one's work and activity change as the years go by? Youth does not find it necessary to express activity in the games of childhood; neither is middle age called upon to take part in the athletics particularly pertaining to youth. But should either necessarily be less active in consequence? There are activities both mental and physical developed through experience, appeals for the exercise of which could only be made to greater maturity. Our Leader says, "Men and women of riper years and larger lessons ought to ripen into health and immortality, instead of lapsing into darkness or gloom" (Science and Health, p. 248). No need for maturity to caution youth: "Make the most of your school years. They are the happiest time, and all too short." Why should they be? Good is not limited; and each and every year has its joys ready to be unfolded to him who has eyes to see.

Christian Science reveals the fact that the healing power of Truth and Love is the same in every age and clime, as operative to-day as in the time of Jesus. Cannot this be proved equally true in every stage of the so-called age of the individual? Each age of this material world has had its particular needs; and in each age has been revealed the truth which supplied those needs. The revelation of Truth is progressive. Are not most mortals like children who have grown accustomed to taking certain well-known walks, and shrink from accepting an invitation to explore new ground? Fear of the unknown arises, fear of what may be met on the way, of what difficulties may arise,—fears arising from the tales we have heard from other children, who have ventured upon unknown paths. But when at last the invitation is accepted, what joy to discover new views of beauty, vaster in extent than anything we could have anticipated, views which had always existed, but never unfolded to us because of our reluctance to venture on a new experience.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Stages of Experience

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access