A Measuring Rod

ROBERT A. CURRY

In all its experiences humanity employs a standard for measuring in one form or another. Thus we have, for example, the yard of silk, the quart of grain, the monetary unit, and the year. These are accepted because they are convenient and sufficiently invariable to be adapted for general use. Through their experiments, however, natural scientists have shown that the material world is undergoing a process of constant change, and that no conclusion based on matter can be absolutely accurate. The Christian Scientist has been taught to turn from this field of calculation to the spiritual universe in order to discover unalterable Truth.

A definition of "rod" given in a dictionary is "power." Metaphysically interpreted, this means spiritual power, with which all human action can be measured in order to determine what in it is real and what unreal. An illustration of this occurs in Exodus, where it is related that Moses and Aaron, his brother, were endeavoring to persuade Pharaoh to allow the children of Israel to leave Egypt. In different ways they were trying to prove to him that God was supporting their purpose. Moses was led to tell Aaron to cast down his rod before the king, and it turned into a serpent. Then Pharaoh called his magicians and sorcerers together and they threw down their rods in imitation of Aaron, and they also became serpents. But, "Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods."

Aaron's rod symbolized spiritual power, and those of the necromancers typified false belief such as fear, hate, sensuality—evil attempting to simulate good and act in its name. Aaron's rod typified his and Moses' understanding of God, good, as supreme, and the rods of the necromancers stood for belief in evil as possessing cunning and matter as capable of strength. The prophet had only one rod, but the magicians had many, which may perhaps be taken to indicate the putting of trust in numbers of lies in contradistinction to the idea of the supremacy of good.

The earnest seeking and prompt obedience of these Hebrew leaders led to the uncovering of the false claims which were thronging to defeat the Israelites' desire for freedom. Through the blind pride of Pharaoh and his sorcerers their evil designs were exposed in such a manner that they could be dealt with and frustrated.

The rod of spiritual power Christian Science explains as belonging wholly to God and available to all. This was the rod employed by Christ Jesus in his proof that Spirit is equal to meeting each human need. In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 259), Mary Baker Eddy confirms this when she speaks of the understanding of divine healing as including "a perfect Principle and idea,—perfect God and perfect man,—as the basis of thought and demonstration." The understanding of God as omnipotent and omnipresent good swallows up—disposes of—every so-called god of delusion. It is impossible to measure any supposed power against divine power, or accord to evil either place or power. The singleness of this view was conveyed in the authority of Aaron's rod over those of the necromancers.

Perfect spiritual man is the image of God, is His son, divine and eternal as the Father. Man's consciousness and identity are purely spiritual, and there is no room therein for any lie whatsoever. He reflects the dominion of Truth, and is free. In proportion as human consciousness is willing to accept this fact, it can be worked out in a practical way on earth today. This is the measuring rod which the Christian Scientist uses efficaciously in denying the seeming reality of sin and sickness.

God is infinite, including within Himself every spiritual quality; so that these qualities partake of His nature and are good. The quality of spiritual love has power with infinite scope, and the same applies to spiritual purity, before which all mocking impurities slink away into nothingness. Health, also, is a quality of divine Mind which supplants all beliefs of sickness; and God is the Life of each divine idea.

Aaron learned that when he obeyed God the power of good, symbolized by the rod, was made manifest; for spiritual power is reflected by man, and is not in mortals. It is necessary to be brave like Aaron; otherwise, the power behind the rod will remain unperceived and unexpressed. Use of the rod uncovered a nest of serpents, as our use of it may sometimes do, but Aaron was not afraid: his rod, standing for the power of Truth, swallowed up those of the enchanters. The rod of unlimited good is at hand for all—the one absolute and inflexible unit of measure.

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June 3, 1933

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