Editorial January 23, 1926 Issue

Pure Refreshment

Ella W. Hoag

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." How truly does this plaint of the Psalmist picture the longing of the human heart; for who does not desire that sweet refreshment which all Christians believe is to be found in the consciousness of God's presence, that consciousness which understands, at least in some degree, that association with Him includes all that is peace-bestowing and joy-fulfilling?

How often men reach out for this pure consciousness with its accompanying refreshment; but how frequently are they baffled and disappointed because both still seem lacking! Even the Christian Scientist, whose religion is based on the fact of God's all-presence, often appears to be confronted with a sense of His absence and so seems to be left without comfort or support. The place which seems bereft of God does indeed present only that which is arid and barren, and the one really desiring spiritual good longs to find the way to the Father.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 32) Mrs. Eddy shows how Jesus walked in this way. She writes, "Jesus prayed; he withdrew from the material senses to refresh his heart with brighter, with spiritual views." Now Christian Science teaches very definitely that the material senses are all that make for barrenness and desolation. Because they testify only to that which is the opposite of Spirit, good, they can never truly satisfy, but finally betray and stultify all who place any reliance on them. Lack of refreshment, then, must be the result of accepting as true and real the lying testimony of these false senses. It must be the result of lingering among their false allurements, believing that in so doing something may be gained which is desirable.

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