The Lesson of the Lighthouse

[Of Special Interest to Juniors]

RUTH SEXTON SARGENT

A lighthouse is built on the coast to warn ships of reefs and sandbars. Its light flashes out across the water through the dark night, and during a fog its loud horn blares forth.

Andrew lived near the ocean and could see a lighthouse from his windows. He liked to watch the light sweep back and forth, and on foggy nights the sound of the horn lulled him to sleep. He had known of Christian Science since he was a small child. He often thought of the truth, as explained in the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, as a light that guides and protects.

Truth imparts true knowledge, and knowledge is light that penetrates the darkness of ignorance. After referring to error, the opposite of Truth, Mrs. Eddy says on pages 282 and 283 of the textbook, "But Truth is the light which dispels error."

Hymn No. 172 in the Christian Science Hymnal contains these words:

Lift up thy light, O man, arise and shine,
Steadfast while loud the storms of life
assail;

Hold high thy lamp above earth's rest
less tides,
Beacon of hope to those who watch
afar.

Pierce thou the dark with Truth's un
daunted ray,
Send out its light of joy to help and save,
That more and more shines to the
perfect day.

Andrew knew that the keeper of a lighthouse serves faithfully throughout the storms and thick fogs, although he rarely knows of the pilots that see his light or listen for his horn. Thoughts and expressions of joy and love are equally far-reaching. They can cheer and hearten someone looking for a sign of hope and encouragement during a stormy problem. A smile and a word of kindness often penetrate the fog of loneliness and anger.

A fog cannot of itself harm or destroy. It only hides things for a time. Likewise, a belief of anger or disappointment or self-pity cannot really take anything from us. It only hides the true facts while we permit it to cloud our thinking.

The panes of glass in a lighthouse must be kept spotlessly clean and polished every day. Our thinking must also be kept clean and free from error to enable our concept of the truth to shine forth. After Jesus had given the Beatitudes to his disciples he gave this advice (Matt. 5: 16): "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (p. 295), "The manifestation of God through mortals is as light passing through the window-pane.'" And she adds, "The mortal mind through which Truth appears most vividly is that one which has lost much materiality—much error—in order to become a better transparency for Truth."

One summer Andrew and a friend spent many happy hours together swimming and rowing their boats. But one day an argument separated them. Andrew complained to his mother that his friend was unkind and no longer wanted any companionship. He preferred to row and swim alone for the rest of the summer. Andrew's mother reminded him of the fog and of how it seemed to hide things from view.

"But you never worry about things really disappearing, do you?" she asked.

"No," he replied, "when the fog lifts, I'll see them again."

"That's right," his mother encouraged. "You must let the rays of Truth dispel the darkness in your thought. Then this fog of dislike and anger will lift, and you will see your friend's good qualities again."

Andrew thought this over for a while. Soon he heard a call from outdoors, and there was his pal, oars in hand, ready to go rowing again. With a happy smile for his mother, he hurried off to join his friend.

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