Editorial September 23, 1939 Issue

"The symbol of Life and Love"

Evelyn F. Heywood

For the Israelites, as we read in the Old Testament, there was prescribed a strict and formal ritual in the religious ceremony of purification, whereby the dual purpose of cleansing and expiation was observed. It was not of such elaborate ordinances that our Master was thinking when he declared: "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." The purity which he expressed and sought to inspire in his followers had nothing to do with human law and ceremony; it was the purity which sees God, because it emanates from Him: the purity which in its singleness of aim and loftiness of purpose knows neither worldliness nor self-seeking. Those who would see and therefore understand spiritual being can obtain it in one way alone—in the sanctification of their daily thoughts and lives.

To see God, is to see the creation which is His handiwork, the full and perfect manifestation of Himself. Jesus sought to impress upon his hearers that only to those who understand the innermost meaning of purity is this vision revealed. No material observance, however elaborate and painstaking, can replace it. Purity knows neither substitution nor modification. To see God, is the result of an inward spiritual light, which is preserved and interpreted only in the measure of undeviating consecration to the Christ-example.

On page 561 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we read: "The Revelator beheld the spiritual idea from the mount of vision. Purity was the symbol of Life and Love." In this experience which came to John, materiality was obliterated; the corporeal earth and heaven were no more, and in place of them was seen the allness and perfection of Spirit's creation.

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