Article January 18, 1969 Issue

Spiritual Navigation

[For young adults]

ROBERT L. T. HOLCOMB

While browsing in the library of the officers' wardroom aboard his ship, a young Christian Scientist, who was serving as navigator, came across a Protestant hymnal. He was somewhat amused to find stamped inside the cover the words "Department of Navigation."

He was accustomed to thinking of navigation in terms of sextants, charts, and parallel rules. But now he saw how entirely appropriate the phrase was. Did not those who look for guidance and a sense of God's loving care frequently turn to songs and hymns of praise as a source of inspiration? The rich treasury of psalms proves that song has inspired and guided men from the earliest times.

Motivated to do further research, the young officer turned first to Commander Benjamin Dutton's Navigation and Nautical Astronomy. He found navigation defined as "the art or science of conducting a ship or aircraft from one position to another." The Christian Scientist wondered if there wasn't a guiding spiritual message in this. Like so many young people today, he was looking for the "art or science" that would steer him into a rewarding career, where he could advance from one position to another. Furthermore, he wanted to find a suitable companion with whom to build a harmonious marriage. Frankly, he didn't care for being single.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

The Right Kind of Escape