UNFOLDINGS

Annie M. Knott

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy tells us that "throughout all generations both before and after the Christian era, the Christ, as the spiritual idea,—the reflection of God,—has come with some measure of power and grace to all prepared to receive Christ, Truth" (p. 333). To this she adds that those who "caught glorious glimpses" of the Christ were baptized "in the divine nature, the essence of Love." Of this we have abundant evidence as we search the Scriptures, evidence presented not alone in words but also in works, the highest manifestation of the divine nature being the life and ministry of Christ Jesus.

Following close upon this great example, we have Jesus' disciples and St. Paul, whose teachings were "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." It must, however, be borne in mind that while the "glimpses" of Truth gained in those early days were of unspeakable value, the absolute truth of being was not understood save by Christ Jesus himself, and he declared that the world was not then ready to receive this truth in its fulness, as we read in the sixteenth chapter of John's gospel, where he said, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." To this he added, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth."

Reverently yet confidently Christian Scientists maintain that this Spirit of truth has come through Christian Science, and is the Holy Comforter promised by the great Teacher. By the spiritual enlightenment thus gained, the priceless declarations of Truth found in the Scriptures are lifted above the plane of material belief and related to their divine Principle, so that the word of God is again known as a living power, healing sickness and destroying sin. Mrs. Eddy tells us that many passages of Scripture, when interpreted materially, seem to conflict, "but," she adds, "once discern their spiritual meaning, and it separates the false sense from the true, and establishes the reality of what is spiritual" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 73). This is illustrated in Paul's statement, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." From what follows it might seem that he desired death as a means of escape from trials and temptations, but as we read on we find a noble ambition to follow the Master even to the victory over death. (See Phil. iii. II-14.) The dying to which he referred as "gain" is explained by his own words to the Corinthians, where he says, "I die daily;" and he relates this dying to rejoicing, as well he might, for the one who daily realizes that life is neither in nor of matter is fast putting on immortality with its deathless joy.

Paul did not always make clear the separation demanded by divine Science, between the flesh and Spirit, matter and Mind, but he at least saw and admitted that the flesh or matter is not of God and does not please God. What is more, his writings when spiritually interpreted always sustain the Master's teachings and demonstrations, and are also in accord with the teachings of our text-book. The husk and chaff of mortal belief must, however, perish, as Paul said, that the grain of truth may spring up unimpeded.

Any tendency to cling to the material sense of Scripture on the part of a student of the Bible reminds us of the apostle's epithet, "Thou fool," which is explained by his statement that "some have not the knowledge of God," which he says is to their shame. Jesus himself said to those who were clinging to a material sense of the word, after he had given so many proofs of its spiritual power, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken." Well may we ask ourselves to what extent this applies to us, to what extent we are letting go of mortal belief, and letting God's idea unfold in us and through us, reflecting health, holiness, and happiness. We are told that the unfolding of spiritual sense brought to Jesus' followers "great joy." Is it doing the same for us today?

Annie M. Knott.

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"LAID UNTO THE ROOT."

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