Editorial February 6, 1926 Issue

The Digestion of Truth

Ella W. Hoag

There is, perhaps, no statement of our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, which is more familiar to all earnest Christian Scientists than the one which is found on page 559 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." There, after counseling mortals to "obey the heavenly evangel" and "take divine Science," she says further: "It will be indeed sweet at its first taste, when it heals you; but murmur not over Truth, if you find its digestion bitter. When you approach nearer and nearer to this divine Principle, when you eat the divine body of this Principle,—thus partaking of the nature, or primal elements, of Truth and Love,—do not be surprised nor discontented because you must share the hemlock cup and eat the bitter herbs."

There is no question but that multitudes have tasted of the sweetness of divine Science when they have experienced the blessed results of its healing ministrations. Those who have then accepted this Science as the truth have often imagined that their future was to be filled with the uninterrupted bliss of partaking of this sweetness. Have they not found the truth? say they; and with nothing to do but to eat of it, how can they fail to find their existence one triumphant succession of instantaneous proofs of the power and presence of good?

Thus students argue for a smooth journey heavenward! So firmly, indeed, have many of them believed that their demonstration should be attended only by that which is harmonious and pleasant to the material senses that, unless harmony prevails immediately, at all times and under all circumstances, they are frequently tempted to yield to discouragement. When results such as they have desired have been slow to appear, they have even been heard to question the validity of Science itself. All this in spite of the fact that our Leader has so plainly said, "Do not be surprised nor discontented because you must share the hemlock cup and eat the bitter herbs."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Christian Character and Healing