Article October 5, 1935 Issue

New Leaves for Old

HELEN HIXON

As she drove along the countryside when shrubs and trees were putting forth their new foliage, a student's attention was drawn to occasional trees on which still clung the brown and faded garb of last year's leaves. All about were other trees which were donning the soft green garments of spring, while these seemed loath to part with their old, outworn leaves.

To one observer, this brought some helpful reflections on how mortals cling to prejudice, outgrown custom, meaningless tradition. How they hamper their growth and happiness by holding fast to resentment, fear, doubt, anxiety, preconceived notions, greed, anger, jealousy, and all the train of unhappy beliefs of material experience!

Christ Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another," replacing the Mosaic law of "an eye for an eye" with the healing, purifying law of Love. His coming marked a new dispensation, and his followers, receiving the Christ, Truth, rise to "walk in newness of life." The study of Christian Science throws new light on the Bible, making formerly obscure passages clear, bringing to our present experience promises seemingly afar off, and showing them to be applicable to the solving of our problems here and now. As Mrs. Eddy writes in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 323, 324): "Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,—this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony."

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