Article September 26, 1936 Issue

"The sunlight of Soul"

JEAN M. SNYDER

Perhaps one is entertaining a material concept of himself believing himself poor, discouraged, perchance sick and forsaken, and seeming to exist in a world that has for him little light or outlook. But one does not have to hold to this aspect. He may turn from it to Christian Science, whose "sweet harmonies," as Mrs. Eddy says, "are found to correct the discords of sense, and to lift man's being into the sunlight of Soul" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 202). Then, blessed by the teachings of Christian Science, there dawns in the consciousness of this weary one perhaps just a ray of the vision of true spiritual existence. And this glimpse commences to remove the gloom, correct the mistaken and distorted view, and lift his consciousness into the realm of reality, "into the sunlight of Soul."

Everyone who has experienced the joy of seeing the sun appear after days of storm and cloud knows how it warms and vivifies the earth. It brightens every leaf and intensifies color in bud and flower. Objects become clearly defined, and even distant mountain peaks so long hidden from sight loom as if close at hand. The sunshine makes all the world gay and bright, and as the dullness slips away, how good it seems to enjoy so glorious a day!

An outward transformation such as this typifies the power of Mind or Soul revealing to us the spiritual universe and its harmony. Such an illumination came to John on the island of Patmos, and it lifted him above his trying earthly environment. In spite of it he recorded this spiritual illumination in the wonderful words comprising Revelation—the closing book of the Holy Scriptures. Because he became conscious of a different, a distinct universe, "a new heaven and a new earth," he says he saw that which had been hidden from sight, and he beheld therein no pain, sorrow, or death. He heard a voice declaring, "I make all things new." John's consciousness was being flooded with "the sunlight of Soul." This "new heaven" and "new earth" to which he refers is new only to the human sense, for it is ever present. Christian Science explains this vision of the true creation and presents it to the receptive thought. Its true theology teaches the perfection of God and His spiritual universe. It declares creation perfect and ever present. It proclaims man as spiritual and immortal, ever existing apart from material conditions.

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