Article August 8, 1953 Issue

SANCTUARY

PARK WOLAVER

The prayer of the people for their king recorded by the Psalmist (Ps. 20:1, 2), "The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble: the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion," reminds us that "help from the sanctuary" can bring us safety and well-being in today's troubled world. The way to receive this help is suggested by a dictionary, which defines "sanctuary" as "a consecrated place" and "a place of refuge." When one's consciousness is "a consecrated place," dedicated to the service of God, it is "a place of refuge" from evil of every sort. When one's consciousness knows God's ever-presence, all-power, and goodness, one is safe and cared for.

It is interesting that in the original Hebrew the word from which "sanctuary" is translated means "a sacred place or thing; consecrated or hallowed thing." The innermost or most sacred room of Jewish tabernacles was the sanctuary, or Holy of Holies. It was literally a place set apart. It was thought that God especially favored the place with His presence. The sanctuary was regarded, in effect, as a dwelling place of the Most High.

To Christian Scientists "sanctuary" symbolizes the consciousness where man's entirely Godlike existence is revealed and demonstrated. To spiritual sense, this consciousness is everywhere. But to human sense, this sanctuary is a mental place that is set apart from materiality and evil and dedicated to the expression of divine Spirit and good.

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