"Waters of Israel"

AMY FARISS

IN reading of Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, we see his reluctance to acknowledge other waters as superior to the rivers of Damascus. "Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?" he asked; "may I not wash in them, and be clean?" He had traveled far in the hope that his leprosy would be healed, and was prepared to give generously of his material riches. Yet at the command of the prophet Elisha, immediately he rebelled and demanded to know why the waters of his own country were not sufficient to cleanse him.

Like Naaman, perhaps, some of us have come to Christian Science for healing, and then demanded to know why we must mentally dip deep into our Leader's writings. There was no reservation in the command given to Naaman: "Go and wash in Jordan seven times, . . . and thou shalt be clean." Nothing less than full submergence in the "waters of Israel" would answer.

"Waters of Israel" On page 583 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy speaks of the children of Israel as "the representatives of Soul." And John tells us of "a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." Then, what lovely signification may be found in the words "waters of Israel," which may be taken to symbolize the highest spirituality! We must dip in this pure stream to be clean.

The voice of God reached our Leader's enlightened consciousness and gave her the message of Christian Science, and nothing less than the unadulterated stream will meet humanity's need. But mortal mind, indolent and willful, argues for what it claims as a better and easier way, a way, however, which would turn one to some unprofitable trail and lure him with false glamour to the rivers of Damascus.

Had he carried out his own intention, Naaman would have remained unhealed; but, wiser than many, he listened to the voice of warning, and with what must have been true humility he obeyed the command of the prophet. Had Naaman persisted in his first arrogant thought, undoubtedly he would have returned to Damascus and washed in Abana and Pharpar. Then, possibly, finding these of no avail, he might have sought other rivers. Is not this the way of so-called mortal mind? Long it travels, eagerly it grasps each fresh promise of peace and healing, blinder it sometimes seems to become. But, finally, when it has sunk to the depths of the waters of materiality, it often awakens to the truth. In humility, steps are retraced, and peace and healing are found in the "waters of Israel."

After Naaman's obedience he expressed gratitude. Obedience and gratitude! These are two essentials if healing is to be experienced. These qualities of thought are safeguards to keep our feet from straying away from the waters of Israel; disobedience and ingratitude ever lead to the "rivers of Damascus," where self-will governs.

In her beautiful poem

"Christ and Christmas" Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 15):

"What the Beloved knew and taught,
Science repeats,
Through understanding, dearly sought,
With fierce heart-beats."

And nowhere in any of our wise Leader's writings is an easy road to heaven pointed out. No short cut; no literature other than the Bible and the authorized literature of Christian Science is recommended; no mention is made of other writings as helps to spiritual understanding.

Then let us come to Christian Science, expectant and receptive. And as Naaman listened to the words of his servant, let us, too, listen and obey. Earth holds for mortals no mightier wonder and joy than the Christ-method of healing. What must have been Naaman's happiness as he came up cleansed out of the "waters of Israel"! The mystery of spiritual healing had been wrought in him, and there is a sacred loveliness in this experience which transcends human power to describe. It touches thought as a golden light; and it never afterwards entirely disappears. Or it might be likened to a hushed, sweet note that sings in one's heart. No discouragement, no obstacle, can arise to dim the light of those faithful students of Christian Science who have dipped seven times in the "waters of Israel."

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