Article March 31, 1928 Issue

The Awakening

GERTRUDE E. PHIPPS

With what joy we welcome the first signs of spring after the long period when Mother Earth apparently closes her doors, pulls down the shutters, and goes to sleep! Each morning the sunshine comes a little earlier with its warmth and gladness, eager to summon the world to activity. The fresh green blades of grass respond readily to its call, giving encouraging proof that, after a season of darkness and confinement, freedom has been gained.

It was at the close of one of the world's greatest struggles for freedom that there dawned in the pure consciousness of a New England woman the first rays of the light which was to lead mortals out of earth's darkness into spiritual liberty. Mrs. Eddy saw the great needs of sinning, sick humanity; and she also discerned the goal toward which it became her mission to lead them, the only goal which would ever bring happiness and satisfaction—mankind awakened to the consciousness of man in God's image and likeness. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 358) Mrs. Eddy has said, "All men shall be satisfied when they 'awake in His likeness,' and they never should be until then." Evidently, then, it is not only a privilege but a duty, a constant summons, to strive to move onward and upward toward perfection.

The mistake of mortals has been the belief that they must continue to live in and find satisfaction in matter, never struggling to lift their heads above this belief. They have not aimed sufficiently high. We have all observed many an unsatisfied one longing for something higher and nobler than mortal existence promises, and have watched humanity hurrying on in its uncertain efforts after success. Some have been eager for social prominence; some for business success; some for scholarly attainment and honor; but in every case where personal interest, selfish and limited, existed, the road has in the end revealed nothing really worth obtaining. Dishonesty, strife, and disappointment have been constant companions, foes to peace and real progress. But when these wanderers become weary of the struggle, they will hear the "still small voice" of Truth bidding them turn in the right direction to find happiness. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 322) Mrs. Eddy has written: "The sharp experiences of belief in the supposititious life of matter, as well as our disappointments and ceaseless woes, turn us like tired children to the arms of divine Love. Then we begin to learn Life in divine Science."

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