Article May 2, 1925 Issue

Love and Nature

WALTER W. KANTACK

Among the inspiring citations in a recent Lesson-Sermon on Love was included the passage from our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 326), "All nature teaches God's love to man." As is the case when one ponders any of the inspired passages contained in our Leader's writings, prayerful consideration of this passage has brought to light many helpful lessons to be learned from the things which appear about us. Among the lessons taught was that of growth by the flowers. As we consider the stages of growth between the time of placing the seed in the soil and its final triumphant smile of glory when it blooms, we may well benefit by this example. If heeded, it will cheer and reinspire our endeavors to demonstrate the perfection of man.

As with the growing seed, so it is with us: the first necessity is to break through the crust of the earth,—the false beliefs of materiality. This step accomplished, our view of the light is no longer completely obstructed, although there may come times when clouds of doubt and fear seem to hide the sunshine of the Father's love. Having reached the light of spiritual understanding, we must go through the necessary further stages of growth,—learn to drink in the life-giving drafts of this God-given revelation, to withstand the storms of wind and rain, the onslaughts and temptations of mortal mind, and to attain to a stature and strength which will be adequate to sustain the blossom or fruit when it appears. As we ponder this lesson we must admit the necessity for purely spiritual progress before we can hope to attain, and we must find ourselves more willing to take these steps in their proper order, always having our faces turned toward the light.

Each one of us, no doubt, has regretted the speedy passing of the gorgeous blooms of the floral kingdom; but may it not be that they have delivered their message to men through orderly unfoldment? And should we not rejoice in the fact that they will again and yet again repeat the lesson with each recurring springtide, thus recalling to human hearts God's law of love, which compels consciousness to arise from the earth? Of one thing we can be certain, that true spiritual growth and spiritual fruition, of which these beautiful symbols are but the counterfeits, will never fade or decay in our hearts. In the words of Isaiah: "As the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations."

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