Article May 22, 1926 Issue

Joseph

F. CARMON HERRICK

The story of the children of Israel is a source of inspiration to Christian Scientists, for it depicts so clearly many of the struggles through which they, too, are passing. In their endeavor to recognize no power apart from God, there is a Red Sea of human experiences to be crossed; but what a joy it is to strive for our sure reward, pictured by Mrs. Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 566): "As the children of Israel were guided triumphantly through the Red Sea, the dark ebbing and flowing tides of human fear,—as they were led through the wilderness, walking wearily through the great desert of human hopes, and anticipating the promised joy,—so shall the spiritual idea guide all right desires in their passage from sense to Soul, from a material sense of existence to the spiritual, up to the glory prepared for them who love God."

The way is clearly pointed out in Christian Science. But we must first have the desire to walk that way, and then the still stronger desire to keep walking that way, regardless of circumstances. It is interesting to note that the children of Israel did not have the Red Sea experience until they had started toward the promised land; but that is no argument for remaining among the fleshpots of Egypt. Let us not complain, as did Moses' companions, that we so soon have trying ordeals to test our trust in God. Rather, let us be grateful that God's promises are true, and that through faithful endeavor we may go forward at least one step each day.

It is helpful in our journey from a merely material sense of existence to a true perception of God and His creation, to consider the life of Joseph, one of the children of Jacob (Israel). As recorded in Genesis, we find that Joseph at an early age was sold into Egypt through the envy of his brothers. They sought to rid themselves of him because his purer sense rebuked their carnality. Did Joseph allow thoughts of hatred and resentment to fill his consciousness? Not so; on the contrary, he loved humanity more because he loved God most. Otherwise, how could he have gained such immediate recognition in Egypt, where "his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand."

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