Article December 18, 1926 Issue

Exercise Which Overcomes

CHARLES BUFORD STANTON

One morning a student of Christian Science who had experienced many proofs of God's care in the way of trials, passed a big hill where a great old tree stood alone. It was a bright, frosty fall morning. The hillsides and valleys were brown, except for a speck of green here and there. In the valley below, protected by the big hill and a number of smaller hills, stood many trees. Although protected more or less from the wind and from the extremes of the weather, many of the trees which grew in the lower land were scrawny, and their leaves, of which the greater part still remained, were clusters of drab blotches.

As the student of Christian Science stood there on the hillside, near the great tree, where the breeze was stiff and cold, he thought of the words of our dear Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, in her book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 66), "Trials are proofs of God's care." He pondered the fact that many of the trees which were protected in the valley below were of small dimension and seemingly undeveloped; whereas on the hillside, defying fierce winds and extremes of weather, and standing alone, was this great tree, a thing of strength. Although the winds had whipped it bare of leaves, it still stood, a symbol of austere faith and beauty. Yes, trials had been helpful to this great tree. When adverse conditions had prevailed, it stood firm, and slowly but surely extended its roots deeper and yet deeper into the soil.

When adverse conditions—errors—arise, as students of Christian Science we can with the help of our Leader's words and works make such conditions a means for extending our understanding deeper and deeper into the solid foundation of spiritual Truth. We should do this. And we must always be alert. It is well to remember that "always" does not mean just part of the time. Even in the days of sunshine and calm the great tree did its work. It put forth its green leaves, sending out to the world cheer and beauty, and furnishing shelter or shade, as the need might be. Yes, the tree did its work in the days of sunshine as well as of storm.

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