In Christian Science we learn that health, harmony, and success are not dependent on the revolution of the earth, on the position or influence of the sun, or the moon, or the stars. These qualities are not dependent on the time of day or the darkness of night. They are dependent on God, Soul, who eternally enlightens and maintains His entire creation. Indeed, every individual is endowed with the light of Christ, the true manhood, which dwells forever in the radiance of Soul.

The Psalmist caught clear glimpses of the ever-present power of the Christ to dispel the night of error. In an inspired moment he wrote (Ps. 139:11, 12): "If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day." And in another Psalm (63:6) he says that he finds satisfaction as he turns in gratitude to God and meditates on Him "in the night watches."

The Christian Scientist has the opportunity to prepare himself for the night hours. He is alert to turn his thought wholeheartedly to the recognition and joyful assurance of Love's ever-presence. He declares with conviction that God, divine Life, is the source of all power, action, thought, and substance. He knows that his true consciousness is completely and inseparably identified with divine Mind, which never slumbers and never dwells in the darkness or vacuity of unconsciousness.

The Christian Scientist assures himself that he is included in creation as one of God's beloved ideas, who dwell in the perfect light of Soul, reflecting health, harmony, and perfect activity. The writer of Proverbs says (3:21), "Keep sound wisdom and discretion," and adds (verses 23, 24): "Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet."

In the parable of the ten virgins, those who were wise carried oil in their lamps that they might properly meet the bridegroom when he arrived at midnight and go with him into the wedding feast. So the Christian Scientist carries into the night hours his consecration to good, his confidence in God's care and watchfulness. He is not afraid of the terror by night or of any suggestions of pain, suffering, or sleeplessness. If he awakens during the night in pain, fear, or discord, his spiritual lamp is at hand and filled. He lights it through his recognition of the heavenly inspiration and activity of the Christ, which is ever with him. He turns immediately away from the suggestions of the material senses and enters by the light of Truth into the marriage chamber of exalted thought, where consciousness is wedded to the Christ.

Regardless of the darkness of the night and the urgency of the claims of error, the individual and those who are watching with him insist on God's allness and all-inclusiveness. They recognize the divine control of Spirit. Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 276): "In Christian Science the midnight hour will always be the bridal hour, until 'no night is there.' The wise will have their lamps aglow, and light will illumine the darkness. Out of the gloom comes the glory of our Lord, and His divine Loveis found in affliction." In connection with this statement, we may recall the experience of the disciples who toiled in the night against wind and wave while Jesus slept. When at their midnight hour of fear and hopelessness they awakened the Master, his thought, already wedded to the Christ, took command of the situation. His words (Mark 4:39), "Peace, be still," resulted in physical and mental calm.

It is sometimes in the darkest hour of the night that men have risen to heights of spiritual inspiration and vision which exceed the revealments of sunlit hours. It was in the darkness of the tomb that Jesus worked out the utter nothingness of matter and exposed the false claim of evil to disturb men or to destroy life. Persistence in truth and consecration to good inevitably dispel the darkness of error and bring healing and quiet rest to the individual.

If one awakens from a troubled dream and tosses in bed, why should he return to the dream? He needs awakening more than rest in unconsciousness. The challenge is to read, study, and ponder the great facts of spiritual being. And such activity, our Leader tells us, rests us more than hours spent in sleep.

On the occasion of the Master's communion with God in the garden of Gethsemane, his disciples slept while he gained peace and comfort through prayer. At this "midnight hour" he surrendered himself entirely to divine Love with the words (Matt. 26:39), "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Our beloved Leader, who followed in the footsteps of the great Way-shower, declares out of her midnight experiences (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 347), "Those who know no will but His take His hand, and from the night He leads to light."

How grateful Christian Scientists are for the example and teaching of these two great representatives of Truth's power, who surrendered themselves entirely to God in unselfed love of mankind and who demonstrated the ever-present light of Christ, which never fails.

Harold Molter