Article August 1, 1936 Issue

Awakening

STACY M. SNOW

People who have visited Bulgaria in early summer recall with delight its magnificent rose gardens. Scattered in every direction for miles through a certain valley are thousands of acres of the choicest roses in the world. From their oil-yielding petals is distilled a precious attar—the famous Bulgarian perfume. To preserve their exquisite fragrance the roses are plucked before they start to open at dawn, or in early morning, as it is vital that "they should not be gathered while the heat of the sun is upon them." The roses are then carried to a near-by perfumery to be distilled on the same day, "since if kept for even twenty-four hours the oil is less fine in quality." Thus, in their human effort for a livelihood, the rose cultivators in the Bulgarian "Valley of Roses" exemplify the old saying, "The morning has gold in its mouth."

All Christian Scientists who are endeavoring to obtain more understanding of Truth, and to progress spiritually, may also prove the wisdom of this motto, for in the early morning hours many seek the priceless spiritual "oil," defined by Mary Baker Eddy on page 592 of her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," as, "Consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration." Before they go out to meet the demands of the day they gather the valuable essence of the Lesson-Sermon, seek the guidance and protection of divine Mind and the ability to obey it. They pray for spiritual ideas—real substance.

The peasants pluck only sufficient roses for the day's distilling. Christian Science students seek each day new strength for the day's needs. Was it not to this end that Mary Baker Eddy provided, in the Manual (Art. VIII, Sect. 4), the "Daily Prayer"?

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