Article April 11, 1925 Issue

"At thy word"

MARY F. KINGSTON

THERE were once certain fishermen who toiled all night long, but caught nothing. They were discouraged; for the night had been long, and apparently their efforts had all been for naught. Perchance, however, they had gone about their work listlessly, feeling that since they had heard the great Master and yearned to follow him, their work was no longer important. At any rate, dawn found their boats empty, and themselves filled with disappointment and chagrin.

It was at this point that the Master appeared on the shore. He desired to use one of the boats. Ah, here was service indeed! Maybe the thought came to these men that fishing was a poor use for the boats; but if we will read between the lines of the narrative, as given in the fifth chapter of Luke, we may see that Jesus did not agree with their reasoning. Although he knew that the ship could be used satisfactorily as a pulpit from which might go forth the words of eternal life, he also knew that it could be used for ordinary work as well,—work which could be so glorified as to become an apparent part of the Father's business. So, after he had talked to the multitudes from the ship, Jesus turned to Simon and said, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." In the light of their useless toil throughout the long night, it may have seemed to human sense that there would be a mere repetition of failure. They had already employed all their experience and skill, and without avail. We read, "Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing." But Simon did not stop there: he continued, "Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."

It is interesting to note that it was the same net, lowered from the same boat, into the same lake; and the fishermen went through the same human gestures. Yet what a difference in results! And this because of the attitude expressed in the words, "Nevertheless at thy word." They were obedient to their recognition of the Christ, Truth. "And when they had this done," their ships were filled. What they had not been able all night long to do under material so-called laws, they accomplished in a few moments when working with divine Principle. And to prove that, as Mrs. Eddy tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 206), "whatever blesses one blesses all," there were fishes enough, and to spare. They beckoned to their companions, and were able to fill their ship as well. Truth is not grudging in its bestowals. Being infinite, it cannot be confined to the experience of any one person. Abundance is of God, and is therefore universal.

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