Article October 24, 1925 Issue

The Wilderness

BEATRICE CLAYTON

IN the opening verses of the eighth chapter of Mark's Gospel, it is related that Jesus called the attention of his disciples to the physical needs of the four thousand people who, in their eagerness to gain spiritual enlightenment, had remained with him in the wilderness three days. The disciples asked, "From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?" The reply of Jesus indicated that they were still swayed by the mortal belief that a mortal must "do something" for other mortals, instead of relying on the all-sufficiency of divine Love. On this occasion Jesus taught by demonstration. Taking the seven loaves and the few small fishes which were at hand, he gave thanks and brake; and all were abundantly satisfied.

Many times the writer had read, or heard read, this account of the feeding of the multitude; but on a recent occasion an important metaphysical interpretation of it was discerned for the first time. Our Leader writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 35), "Our bread, 'which cometh down from heaven,' is Truth;" and in the Glossary of the same volume (p. 597) she defines "wilderness" as follows: "Loneliness; doubt; darkness. Spontaneity of thought and idea; the vestibule in which a material sense of things disappears, and spiritual sense unfolds the great facts of existence." Does not every Christian Scientist pass through this wilderness experience? Would he have it otherwise, since thus only can he prove the power of Truth to satisfy his needs?

After the first great joy of spiritual healing there comes to all who would progress along the heavenward way the demand to take up the cross, that is, to deny material sense testimony. As the Christian Scientist earnestly endeavors to follow the Way-shower, he finds that the Master's experiences become also his in a degree; and hard and bitter these may seem at times, for the false beliefs of mortal mind do not surrender without a struggle. At such times not infrequently one who is sorely tempted to believe that he has "so much to meet" is confronted with a demand from some other one for spiritual healing. Then it is that he cries out, How can I in this wilderness, in this "loneliness; doubt; darkness," do anything to help any one else? If he allows himself to be thus mesmerized, and continues to contemplate his own problems with the thought that when they are all overcome it will be time enough to attempt ministering to others, his sojourn in the wilderness is likely to be prolonged, for "loneliness; doubt; darkness" must continue, and even seemingly increase, in the consciousness which is thus self-absorbed.

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