Article July 17, 1926 Issue

Rise Up Quickly

RUTH POWELL WENBAN

The revelations of Christian Science have so completely reversed many of the former false theories of mankind that often the thought of the student undergoes a quiet but radical transformation, without his immediate realization of the fact. Then sometime when his faith and knowledge of the laws of divine Principle are tried, he suddenly finds himself speaking with such authority to erroneous sense that spiritual healing is quick and sure. Not until this Peniel is reached does he perceive the steady upward trend of the road he has, step by step, so long and faithfully followed. And in the light of scientific demonstration he reviews with joy each apparently small but important step in the steady climb. Enriched with the assurance of righteous accomplishment, he again turns and continues on his journey, obedient in detail to the light of his guidance, strengthened in spirit to meet and master any new obstacles in the path. Some kind friend says, He has so much to meet! But the wise and trustworthy pilgrim replies, I have so much with which to meet it, so much understanding with which to conquer error.

What seasoned student of Christian Science has not reviewed with awe and gratitude his first successes in the demonstration of this Science? And if there should come a time in his heavenward journey when his courage is tempted to falter, his faith tempted to grope blindly, and self-pity claims to question an apparently protracted demonstration, these previews and reviews of the whole scene of his righteous activity may be found to hold for him fresh inspiration and profit. What has become of that early hunger for spiritual understanding, that eager search, in season and out, for the "pearl of great price" contained in the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy? Is his present daily study as joyous, as anticipatory of divine revelation? Or has he allowed it to become merely a perfunctory habit, a daily duty performed in the apathetic and half-superstitious thought of self-advancement? And, too, there was that seizure of the smallest opportunity to prove the practical availability of his new-found treasure. As he recalls, each trifling detail of the affairs of the day was made the object of earnest experimentation with the laws of spiritual healing as glimpsed through the daily study. Does he now meet irritation, delay, frustrated plans and small disorders with that same avid desire to prove his Principle? Or does attention to what he considers the more important problems at hand obscure his vision of the significance of the so-called little demonstrations? Blessed assurance, joyous anticipation, thoughtful testing, and abundant gratitude—these were the concomitants of that early experience which he may now resolve to employ in the solution of problems at hand.

When Peter, the loved disciple of our Master, was cast into prison by Herod, it was at a time of great activity in his career. He had been preaching, teaching, healing, and admonishing the struggling bands of Christian workers throughout Asia Minor. His imprisonment was not for any specific offense, but came about through the desire of Herod to please his adversaries, the Jews. Here was an entirely unjust and unlawful obstruction of Peter's legitimate activity. Do we read that he indulged in resentment, self-pity, questioning doubt, or elaborate plans for release and revenge? The book of Acts says that "prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." Peter was quite willing to rest his whole demonstration on this healing prayer; for on the night of his deliverance we find him, not in agonizing watch, but, for all his chains and soldier guard, asleep. Upon this scene of spiritual serenity, this scene which mortal sense could have comprehended only as darkness and despair, there burst the light of divine revelation. For to the sleeping Peter came the spiritual idea of man's complete superiority over every bond of matter. "The angel of the Lord" appeared, smote him, and admonished him to "arise up quickly." This was exactly the quickening needed; for instead of removing the chains and setting Peter free, the rousing angel visitant gave him a definite and imperative command which brooked no delay. Peter did "arise up quickly." And in this immediate and obedient physical and spiritual elevation above the surrounding conditions came his complete deliverance from them. The chains of themselves "fell off from his hands." Obeying further, he clothed himself in his customary manner and followed his deliverer through the heavy iron gate, which opened of its own accord, and found himself in the street of the city, completely attired and ready to continue his ministry. The whole experience which it had been the design of his enemies to use as a discouraging and disabling chain with which to shackle the spread of Jesus' teachings, thus left Peter, his successful disciple, enriched in wisdom and spiritually uplifted to still greater success. What must have been the joy and gratitude with which he exclaimed, "Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews." No delay occurred here—no lengthy recital of all that he had had to meet. Immediately, and in almost a matter-of-fact manner, Peter set about the healing work once more.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Rise Up Quickly

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access