When the children of Israel were in bondage to the Egyptians, we read that the Lord told Moses and his brother Aaron that He would send a plague over all the land to punish the Egyptians for their sins. But the word came to the Israelites that they should "take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house." They were instructed that the lamb was to be "without blemish," and that the "two side posts" and "the upper door post of the houses" were to be marked with its blood. This would be a sign by which the people could make themselves known, in order that the Lord might protect the children of Israel, and spare them from the evil that was to befall the land.

"Spiritual teaching must always be by symbols," says Mary Baker Eddy, the much loved Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, on page 575 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Therefore Christian Scientists are forever grateful for the spiritual interpretation of Bible passages which their textbook gives them.

John the Baptist, and Peter, Jesus' disciple, referred to Christ Jesus, the great Exemplar of purity and innocence, as "a lamb without blemish and without spot," and as the "Lamb of God." Likewise the Revelator uses the symbol of the Lamb to indicate the highest office. He identifies it with strength and abundance, wisdom, honor, and blessings. He sees it "in the midst of the throne," and foretells that it "shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters." He furthermore sees it as possessing God-given power to overcome the dragon, which Christian Science exposes as the symbol of the sum total of the evils of ancient and modern mesmerism, the belief of life in matter, a belief which manifests itself not only in physical but in mental warfare.

In her Glossary in Science and Health (p. 590) our Leader defines the "Lamb of God" as "the spiritual idea of Love; self-immolation; innocence and purity; sacrifice." Pure and spiritual concepts, the lamb "without blemish," must be cherished in individual consciousness, our true habitation. In whatever house or consciousness the sign of the sacrifice of false beliefs and erroneous habits appears, there is safety today, as yesterday, from the attacks of even the most devastating plagues. No matter what distorted picture mortal mind boastfully parades before the human eye, spiritual perception recognizes evil's bravadoes as ungodly, therefore unreal. This separation of unreality from reality is a vital step in spiritual progress which is manifested in safety and freedom. As we realize man's spiritually sheltered selfhood, it becomes natural to delight constantly in the spiritual fact that good alone is power.

Throughout her writings Mrs. Eddy lays much stress on the need of purifying thought as the remedy for the ills of the flesh and as a protection against evil, "the prince of this world." Material thinking brings discontent, throwing gloomy shadows on the human path. Christian Scientists know that their well-being and happiness depend upon the quality of their thinking. They rejoice in the proof that spiritual-mindedness serves as an armor against error of any kind. They also know that to think spiritually involves the giving up of idle thought and speech, the abandoning of false fears, superstitions and trust in material ways and means. Such efforts towards self-purification characterize those who long to express and to behold man in the image of Him of whom the prophet Habakkuk cries, "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity."

Purity of heart comes through spiritualization of thought. It manifests itself first in individual thinking before it can be seen outwardly. Undoubtedly such a sign written on the door of our consciousness indicates that through the study and application of Christian Science we have awakened to the scientific reality of being, to the inseparability of God and man. Through this study we have also learned of the Master's purity and innocence, and have glimpsed his spotless, Christlike nature. As we then grasp Jesus' profound sacrifice and constant self-immolation, we shall surely desire to express Christlike purity and love. Such prayer fits us to experience the security and protection promised to the pure in heart, the lamb "without blemish."

Nothing indeed is more comforting and regenerating than Christian Science in its revelation of absolute truth. This provable, God-ordained Science reveals that man, as the image and likeness of God, needs no sign, either inwardly or outwardly written, for protection. It reveals man, forever shielded in the bosom of the Father, as needing neither salvation nor purification. The true man of God's creating does not lack any of the divine qualities which constitute his glorious being. As the expression of Soul, man, individual and collective, shows forth the purity of his Maker, the divine Mind.

At one time I was seized with great pain. Consecrated work by a Christian Science practitioner was taken up, bringing considerable relief. Nevertheless, the difficulty persisted for many weeks, although in less aggravated form. During the healing process many wonderful lessons were learned. The one which later brought complete freedom has never been forgotten. Day by day thought dwelt on the allness of Spirit, God. All the suggestions testifying to the possible presence of anything opposite to good were steadfastly denied. Their unreality, perhaps, was not truly understood until the day when the great fact of God's purity and the purity of man as His image and likeness came in an indescribable influx of heavenly light. Having been barely able to move, when this spiritual fact became clear I arose, perfectly free, literally leaping with joy.

Glorious are the results when we apply this ever-available, God-given Science. Stirred by its power, not only are individuals healed and blessed, but the world too feels its regenerating influence. Therefore what a challenge to our every thought and deed are Mrs. Eddy's inspired words (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 298): "Trials purify mortals and deliver them from themselves,—all the claims of sensuality. Abide by the morale of absolute Christian Science,—self-abnegation and purity; then Truth delivers you from the seeming power of error, and faith vested in righteousness triumphs!"