"Earth received the harmony"

MARY ELIZABETH HEMEON

On page 54 of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," speaking of the work of Jesus, our Way-shower, Mrs. Eddy says, "The world acknowledged not his righteousness, seeing it not; but earth received the harmony his glorified example introduced." The deep meaning of his devotion to the good of the people, his compassion for them when they were tired and needed food, his healing of their diseases, his tender teaching of the love of the Father, the continual outpouring of His love for them, was apparently imperceptible, save to those concerning whom he prayed, "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world." Here was the light shining in darkness, with the darkness comprehending it not.

At times it must have seemed to him who "was in all points tempted like as we are" that his work was of no avail. "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life," he said. So it will always seem to human sense. But the material senses cannot perceive the things of God! We know, however, that this seeming never deterred the Master in his work. He said, "I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." He understood the Father to have charge of his every effort. Always he understood this, even in his bitterest experience when he uttered the words, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." We know now that none of his work was unavailing, even if at the time it did not convince the world that he had come forth from the Father.

How much more of harmony the world is receiving from the life and work of Mrs. Eddy, our Leader, than that of which it is conscious! Apart from the comfort and healing to which thousands are attesting, the quieting, comforting, and healing are going on which are not discernible to the eyes of the world, but are in part perceptible only to those who have eyes to see, those who are learning to read the "signs of the times."

Mrs. Eddy writes on page 348 of Science and Health, "I have never supposed the world would immediately witness the full fruitage of Christian Science, or that sin, disease, and death would not be believed for an indefinite time; but this I do aver; that, as a result of teaching Christian Science, ethics and temperance have received an impulse, health has been restored, and longevity increased." The same inspired writer, on page 166 of "Miscellaneous Writings," speaking of this leavening work of Christian Science, says, "This action of the divine energy, even if not acknowledged, has come to be seen as diffusing richest blessings." The Christian Science Sentinel in its "Signs of the Times" columns gives us much that bears testimony to this.

To us as Christian Scientists belongs the great privilege of interpreting in our daily lives the precious truth made manifest to all who humbly study the life and teaching of our dear Leader. In addition to what we are openly thankful for, the good of which we are conscious, there is the great wealth of all the good of which we are still unconscious. Thank God, we cannot get away from Him, infinite good! And it is never true that any good has ever been of no avail. We have the wonderful comfort that universal harmony is being furthered if our lives are obedient. We should thank God for this, and take courage.

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