Article November 12, 1955 Issue

GATHERING OUT THE TARES

LOUISA MAY WHINNOM

The parable of the wheat and the tares recorded in the thirteenth chapter of Matthew's Gospel conveys more than is seen by the casual reader. The tares so familiar to English fields—a species of pretty mauve vetch—are harmless and easily distinguishable from wheat; but the tares to which Christ Jesus referred are of a different type. They are authoritatively considered to be a bearded darnel, an annual grass, in growth and form closely resembling the grain among which it grows. The seed of this grass is sometimes poisonous and even has an intoxicating effect upon humans. When the facts as to the character and nature of the tares are considered, the full significance of the parable begins to dawn upon thought.

Does one find it difficult to differentiate at times between the divine will and the human? Between highest spiritual good and human expediency? In such instances Christian Science is invaluable, because it makes the line of demarcation unfailingly clear. On page 462 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy writes: "are thoughts divine or human? That is the important question."

And again on page 492 our Leader says, "For right reasoning there should be but one fact before the thought, namely, spiritual existence."

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