Article July 12, 1924 Issue

Vacation

IDA M. ROWLEY

At this season of the year when one hears so much about vacations and of many people going to the mountains, the country, or the seashore, when so much is being said about getting away from the office, from business cares and worries or household responsibilities, it is well for the Christian Scientist to "stand porter at the door of thought," as Mrs. Eddy tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 392), lest he be robbed of the joy of the true realization of the meaning of vacation.

A definition of vacation is, "Freedom from duty." Let us see if that is what we want. A careful analysis of thought will reveal that what we really desire is rest, happiness, peace,—in a word, harmony. Mrs. Eddy uses the word "harmony" as a synonym for heaven; and on page 587 of Science and Health she gives this definition: "Heaven. Harmony; the reign of Spirit; government by divine Principle; spiritually; bliss; the atmosphere of Soul." Then what we really want is spiritual understanding; and this cannot be found in change of scene or climate, but only in a clear realization of man's relation to the Father and of God's spiritual universe, the seasons of which are the periods of Truth's unfoldment, whose offices are the activities of divine Mind, and whose household is the loving, harmonious association of God's ideas.

Does the one in charge of the affairs of an office seem irritable, unkind, and inconsiderate? Does there seem to be a shortage of help and many positions filled with incompetents? Is it this unpleasantness we wish to be away from? Then it is time for a mental housecleaning. Let us reverse the evidence of the senses; for, as the writer of Hebrews says, "things which are seen were not made of things which do appear;" and let us see the spiritual offices of divine Mind, governed by God, where every positions is filled with His ideas, expressing honesty, justice, and brotherly love. In God's kingdom there are no unfilled positions, since God's ideas are omnipresent; and no incompetents, for each of God's ideas is equipped with ability and good judgment.

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Abram and Lot
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