"HID TREASURES."

Annie M. Knott

The wise man sets forth with many strong reasons the necessity for spiritual understanding, and tells of the rewards to be gained by its possession, among which are named health, long life, peace, prosperity, safety. Need we wonder that, with all these as the result of the understanding which comes from God, we should be bidden to search for it as for "hid treasures"? The wise man indeed tells us that it is more to be desired than silver and gold; more precious than the rarest ruby. He tells us that God Himself established the earth and the heavens by His understanding, and that the one who possesses this kind of understanding shall walk safely and not stumble, that he shall lie down and not be afraid, and that his "sleep shall be sweet." Well might he add, "With all thy getting get understanding."

We find that the great Teacher was no less insistent upon the need of acquiring spiritual treasures at any cost, making it a condition of discipleship that one should be willing to forsake all that he had in order to become his follower. He reproached the people for their lack of understanding which kept them from being healed by him, but he said to his disciples, "Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear." Then he went on to give one parable after another (see Matthew xiii.), among others the one which declares that the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field, to gain which a man would sell all that he had. Again it was likened unto a "pearl of great price," for which one "sold all that he had, and bought it."

All through the Master's teachings we find him directing thought to the spiritual treasures which were so clearly perceived by him, but which were hidden from those who believed that the material senses were the avenue through which they could be cognized. Again and again had he healed the sick in the presence of the scribes and Pharisees, but so blinded were they by prejudice that when the little children joined in loud praises of all the "mighty works" which had been done by him, these men could only say, "Master, rebuke thy disciples." Need we wonder that he wept when he beheld the city which was the very citadel of their pride, as he said, "If thou hadst known ... the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes."

The things which belong unto our peace! Alas, that they should ever be hidden from our eyes, for they are the only treasures, and they are to be found only in the kingdom of God which Christian Science tells us is here and now. It matters not whether the need be health and happiness, peace and plenty, or whether it be to have the deep hearthunger for God satisfied; the supply, the treasure, waits to reward our diligent search. What if it be hid to mortal sense? This only demands more diligent seeking, for there is no possible uncertainty in the assertion of Christ Jesus, "Every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." The trouble with so many is that they do not really seek. They spend their time and energy in trying to get others to do the seeking for them, which is a serious mistake. Others,—not a few, but unnumbered thousands,—have found the once hid treasures of health, strength, and peace, and they have found them through the understanding gained from the study of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy.

This, in turn, has opened up the Bible to them, until they can say with an aged Christian who had searched long and it seemed in vain, until this great light came to her, "Now I can find nothing in the good old book but life, abundant life, on every page." We can help each other (and even to do this effectively we must search for the hid treasures), but sooner or later all must seek God with their whole heart, cheered by the Saviour's word, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Annie M. Knott.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

THE FEBRUARY COSMOPOLITAN

January 14, 1911

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit