Article July 28, 1928 Issue

Nature's Grand Lessons

FRANCES LESLIE HARRIS

In the nineteenth psalm we read, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." At the glorious season of springtime the significance of this Scriptural truth comes with renewed force to every nature lover! And particularly to Christian Scientists does the coming afresh of beauty bring inspiration and hope. That Jesus felt the efficacy of nature to teach grand lessons is proved by his recourse to it for illustrations in his Sermon on the Mount and in his parables. The fig tree, the mustard seed, the tares, and the lilies of the field—all these aided him in teaching simply and forcefully.

Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, also showed a keen appreciation of the inspiration to be gained from nature. On page 240 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she writes, "Nature voices natural, spiritual law and divine Love;" and she adds, "Arctic regions, sunny tropics, giant hills, winged winds, mighty billows, verdant vales, festive flowers, and glorious heavens,—all point to Mind, the spiritual intelligence they reflect."

Can we not, then, in our enjoyment of the beauty of the springtime, look deeper and see more than the transitory loveliness of sense-testimony? Can we not see symbolized the one Mind governing, controlling, beautifying, replenishing? Flowers, Mrs. Eddy defines as "hieroglyphs of Deity" (ibid.). May we not see them, then, as symbols of the infinite beauty of Soul? And by the birds, flashing in the sunlight as they dart from tree to tree or singing their glad songs, may there not be recalled to us the inspired thought, exalted by the spirit of gladness, which rises above mortal belief and reaches even unto heaven?

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