Editorial June 11, 1955 Issue

"THERE IS A RIVER"

Robert Ellis Key

Mary Baker Eddy defines the word river in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 593) as, "Channel of thought." And she says of it, "When smooth and unobstructed, it typifies the course of Truth; but muddy, foaming, and dashing, it is a type of error."

In order to benefit and to confer benefit through the understanding of Christian Science, we must keep the channel of thought clear of and unobstructed by the debris of mortal mind, the rubbish of superstition, the withered leaves of faith without works, and the sand of sad memories. For Truth to do its work, the channel of thought must be clear and unobstructed that the pure draughts of living truth may refresh the worshiper.

The word river is often used in the Scriptures, and the substitution of the spiritual for the material term in Christian Science throws fresh light on the spiritual meaning. For instance, the Nile is the river of Egypt. It was worshiped by the ancient Egyptians, who considered it their source of life. It represented their material channel of supply. But when the rod of God was lifted up by Aaron above the water, it became a river of blood and everything died in it. The water of the Nile was not the true life of Egypt, for life is not material but spiritual.

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