Editorial September 26, 1925 Issue

Footsteps

Ella W. Hoag

From the earliest steps of a child to the more assured ones of the adult, men have recognized more or less that all footsteps are in a way mental ones. They have talked of light steps and heavy steps, of joyful steps and mournful ones. There are the steps which are "swift in running into mischief" and the "steps of a good man," which "are ordered by the Lord." Because of these and similar characterizations the term "footsteps" has come to be used figuratively as implying the degrees and their nature which mark progress in any undertaking.

To the Christian Scientist the footsteps in his journey from sense to Soul are of vital importance. All are most desirous of taking each one properly, that they may avoid the pitfalls and byways which they soon learn are but so many hindrances and obstacles in their progress heavenward—are but so many wanderings which must inevitably be retraced before right advancement can be made. They very quickly discover that steps in a wrong direction land in places all undesirable, and resulting difficulties often require strenuous struggle before extrication from them is accomplished.

Early in the Christian Scientist's journey out of the falsities of matter into the realities of Spirit, he becomes aware of the wisdom of watching that each and every step be wisely taken and firmly planted, in order that he may neither falter nor fail in reaching the ultimate goal of divine perfection in all things. In the very first place he learns to say with the prophet, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." On the contrary, he well knows that he must trust God, divine Mind, to guide all his way. Indeed, no step can be taken properly which is not accompanied with the humility which recognizes that unless it be taken under the absolute guidance of Mind it will be neither correct nor secure.

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