A Place of Safety

The early history of the Hebrews reveals the fact that they were originally a pastoral people, and lived close to nature. No figure is more frequently and effectively employed in their literature than that of the shepherd and his sheep, and every devout student of the Bible loves the familiar Psalm which begins, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." We also find that Jesus used the same illustration, and toward the close of his healing ministry, when the need of a place of safety for his followers had become very apparent, he made frequent reference to the fold.

There are many evidences that the Master carefully instructed his disciples how to avail themselves of the Divine protection against every condition of mortal thought which would hinder the success of their healing mission,—a mission identical with his own, concerning which he said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." In Acts, 20, we find Paul alluding to this teaching in deeply significant words. He says, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God."

Christian Science churches were established in view of the urgent need of protecting those who had been healed by Truth. These all discern sooner or later, that the material surroundings of their past experience fail to furnish the protection which they find necessary, especially when they are but "babes in Christ." Indeed, they come to see that their former mental environment, with its belief in the reality of sin, disease, and death, was largely responsible for the discords from which they suffered, and to all such the atmosphere of Christian Science, with its faith in good, is unspeakably helpful and inspiring. Thus it can but be seen how all important it is that we guard our churches against the old-time wolves of fear and anxiety, which brings a brood of other evils in their train. The fold should be a place of safety as well as of peace. In it should be gathered together those who recognize and obey the Divine power which heals sickness and sin alike,—those who acknowledge and seek to demonstrate the supremacy of Truth and Love. It is therefore the solemn duty of every member to guard his thought so that it may never become an avenue for anything which would menace the safety of the flock.

It should be remembered that we are making history, and while it may not be written on deathless page, as was St. John's record of the "seven churches in Asia," nevertheless it is being inscribed upon the living book of the world's spiritual experience,—the record of those who rise from sense to Soul. To Christian Scientists, as individuals and as churches, comes the word of divine Principle: "I know thy works." Are we ready to respond with joy to this pronouncement of Truth? Our Leader emphasizes the assurance of divine protection to the fold when she says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 151), "If He be with us, the wayside is a sanctuary, and the desert a resting-place peopled with living witnesses of the fact that 'God is Love.' ... Not more to one than to all, is God demonstrable as divine Life, Truth, and Love; and His people are they that reflect Him—that reflect Love. He guards, guides, feeds, and folds the sheep of His pasture;" and of these the Master says, "No man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."

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Letters to our Leader

October 29, 1904

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