Article June 21, 1924 Issue

Some Thoughts on Vacation

HARRIET KATE HELMAN GRAY

This is the season of the year when the thoughts of men turn longingly towards vacation. To some the word "vacation" conveys a picture of seashore, country, or mountain retreat, to others it brings a vision of gay city pleasures. According to his temperament and circumstances each one plans to spend his vacation in the way which he believes will bring him the greatest possible measure of rest and refreshment. But does this vacation, upon which such careful planning is bestowed, always bring the much desired restoration of strength and spirit? Not always. And why? Because the one who knows nothing about Christian Science and its teaching of the allness of God, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter, is trying to find rest for matter—his material body—in matter—some material place or pursuit. And like the wise preacher of old, he finds in all material ways and means only "vanity and vexation of spirit." Released from his usual round of labor, he often finds himself laboring to amuse himself, or even to relax. He tries in vain to keep his thoughts from their accustomed activity by light and vapid reading, and may possibly overstep his usual notions of proper decorum in an effort to have a complete change. It is not at all surprising that he does not attain the end sought.

On the subject of vacation, the one schooled in Christian Science takes a spiritually constructive view. He considers it in the light of what he reads about rest in the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. Beginning with Jesus' inspired words, "Come unto me, all ye that labour ... and I will give you rest," he deduces that it is not necessary to go to any special place to have a rest or vacation. The rest to which Jesus referred in the above statement was not a rest of place, but of thought. The thought lifted from matter, with its false friction, to Christ, Truth, does certainly enter into a state of restfulness. In this "Come unto me" understanding of rest, the Christian Scientist may have a rest, or vacation, anywhere at any time, because he has learned how it is possible to accept that loving invitation of the Master. He knows how to turn away from the false consciousness of matter, with its many discordant claims, to the secret certainty of the peace and spiritual joy of the Christ. He may roam the spiritual realm where abound the "still waters" and "green pastures" of which David sang. From such a vacation he returns in a few moments more rested than the seeker for rest in matter would be after a vacation of unlimited duration.

The Christian Scientist also has these often quoted words of his Leader to guide him in his search for rest: "A Christian Scientist is not fatigued by prayer, by reading the Scriptures or the Christian Science textbook. Amusement or idleness is weariness. Truth and Love rest the weary and heavy laden" (Church Manual, p. 60). From this he rightly reasons that he does not need rest from study, churchgoing, reading the authorized Christian Science literature, or filling his appointed place in church work. As a matter of fact, these very activities help to rest and restore one, not only during a few summer weeks but throughout the twelve months of the year.

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