Entering upon a New Experience

ANNIE MARIE BLISS.

There is a fascination about many phases of country life which appeal especially to the city bred, and sharing with others this enthusiasm, I gladly accepted an invitation to visit a poultry farm and observe the hatching process.

All my preconceived ideas upon the subject were far afield. I had fancied that, in the old-fashioned way, the hen broke the shell and instantly a fluffy ball of down tumbled out and began to run about.

So I was a bit anxious at the unexpected picture which greeted me in the large number of wet and struggling little things lying around on the netting in all stages of semiactivity. I first noticed a shell that was but slightly cracked, with the appearance of a little bill at the point of fracture. As I looked, a conclusive action inside told of the struggle to gain the outer air.

Turning to another I saw a little fellow resting in his shell overcoat with mouth open and breathing fast. Another with heroic effort had just shaken himself free, and was trying to stand upon his little yellow legs which wobbled dreadfully.

As I saw so many of these gasping little creatures I eagerly offered my help. Couldn't I break those shells? Couldn't I dry their wet down? Oh, couldn't I do something! No. I was assured they were all doing well, and that my interference would prove fatal. So I patiently waited and kept watch upon their movements.

Going back to the first little one whom I had left breaking his shell I found him working and resting by turns, but there was now less shell and more chicken visible. Beside him was a little brother really standing upright, running his bill over the wet down, trimming it and shaking himself into a proper degree of fluffiness. If a too vigorous shake toppled him over he would scramble up again and continue his work.

Some were gaping and picking up gravel. The first thought with many, after finding themselves in a new world, was evidently that of food. I was gladdened to see one, more brisk than the others, who began to peck at the opening crack of another's white shell, thus showing an early effort at brotherly kindness.

Thus each chick had to burst his own shell and work his way; to try again and again with apparent failure before he could stand alone, then walk, then scratch, taking each progressive step in its order, and before I left I was rewarded by seeing my little "disappointments" expand into the downy puffs I had originally expected to see.

In this incident I found many reminders of my former and present views of the development of a Christian Scientist.

I had thought that all sufferers were freed from disease and discord, and at once were ushered into harmony, living henceforth in sweet security, free, strong, and glad, with no more anxious thought or weariness. But after I myself had struggled with all the strength I could realize at the time, and had burst the shell of materiality, which, though thin, had served effectively as a prison; after my first breath of the pure air of spiritual life, I found that somewhat of the shell of material sense still clung to me, and that it meant work to shake it off.

The first efforts to stand met with defeat, and repeated efforts were necessary even to balance myself. Cheered on, however, by those who were near and who had learned to walk alone, I soon gained the confidence that lent strength to uncertain movement. Feeble efforts gave place to steady action until I stood alone, no longer dependent upon material support.

If tempted to look back, wearied with the thought of the task before me, my gaze rested on nothing but a broken shell into which I could not return. There are no backward steps in truth, and so I faced the light and resolutely set to work, in thought and deed, to earn the right to be called a Christian Scientist.

How often we long to break the shells of others, and our zeal to do so before the time is apt to bring us disappointment, until we learn to be patient and let them learn how to work out their own salvation. We have, however, the glorious privilege of nourishing the immature thought with reflections of divine Love until it breaks its own shell. Every effort brings greater freedom; more air, more light; every faltering step taken is leading to firmer understanding. Knowing this we are content and leave them to "emerge gently from matter into Spirit" (Science and Health, p. 485).

What a great joy to see our "disappointments," after their hard work, step out clothed in the beauty of holiness, reflecting the sweet qualities we had hoped that they would manifest, and thrice glad are we to see them quickly turn to assist weaker brothers near them, who are just beginning to hunger after spiritual food.

Our Easter joy is but the awakening to a clearer consciousness of our infinite possibilities, and as God's children we go joyfully about our Father's business, glad in our clearer understanding of the resurrection-life.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit