Article April 19, 1947 Issue

The Safety of the Ark

ANNIE BELLE ELLSWORTH

The story of the flood in the book of Genesis is the first instance recorded in the Bible of the protective power of the understanding of God in the presence of physical danger. In this record of human experience, error seemed to have prevailed to such an extent that evil was considered dominant by most mortals. Noah was saved, but not because God singled him out for the purpose of prolonging the human race. His preservation was due solely to his close relationship with God. Following the leadings of divine guidance, Noah prepared the ark, which typified his highest sense of protection. "Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him. so did he" (Gen. 6:22).

Then Noah and his house entered the ark with all that was necessary for their preservation. When error's self-destructive nature was expressed as a great flood, the waters bore up the ark so that it was lifted above the earth. The higher the waters rose, the higher the ark was lifted, until it came to rest on Mount Ararat. It was here that Noah received a new covenant from God, even the promise of His loving care for His creation.

Today as of old those who are followers of Christ, Truth, have an ark of safety in the revelation of Christian Science. Mary Baker Eddy in her textbook. "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 581) defines "ark" in the following words: "Safety; the idea, or reflection, of Truth, proved to be as immortal as its Principle: the understanding of Spirit, destroying belief in matter. God and man coexistent and eternal: Science showing that the spiritual realities of all things are created by Him and exist forever. The ark indicates temptation overcome and followed by exaltation."

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