Article October 7, 1933 Issue

"Turn ye, ... O house of Israel"

FAY ROSS KETTERER

During the present chaotic condition of the affairs of the world, it is greatly to be desired that men learn to turn their thoughts away from the human sense of things and find the harmony and truth of being as taught in Christian Science. Throughout all ages men have been admonished by enlightened thinkers to forsake error and seek refuge in spiritual understanding. Ezekiel voiced God's word to the children of Israel: "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"

Confronted by the hatred and persecution of the world, Christ Jesus lifted his thoughts to God; and so even the belief of death and the grave had no power over him. After he had risen from the tomb, he found that some of his disciples had returned to their former occupation of fishing, and "when the morning was now come" he called to them to cast their net "on the right side of the ship." After they had obeyed this command they recognized their Master, and humbly and gratefully turned away from limiting materiality to the realization of the ever-presence of the Christ, Truth. Referring to this meeting, Mrs. Eddy writes on page 35 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Convinced of the fruitlessness of their toil in the dark and wakened by their Master's voice, they changed their methods, turned away from material things, and cast their net on the right side. Discerning Christ, Truth, anew on the shore of time, they were enabled to rise somewhat from mortal sensuousness, or the burial of mind in matter, into newness of life as Spirit."

It is related that a woman was saved from drowning when she turned her thoughts to God. Realizing that she was too far from shore to receive human aid, she was seized with a sense of fear and exhaustion and found herself well-nigh overwhelmed by the waves. Then the above-quoted words from Ezekiel flashed into her consciousness: "Turn ye, ... for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Turning her thoughts to God and to the realization of His omnipresence, she lost all sense of fear; she ceased to struggle, and obedient to the words, "Turn ye," she turned and, looking away from the waters, faced the sky. With a sweet and certain sense that "underneath are the everlasting arms" she rode the waves, and in a short time found herself near the shore.

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