At the intersection of busy streets in a metropolis, it is often interesting to note the behavior of pedestrians. Some hesitate a good deal before crossing; some advance haltingly, glancing timidly from right to left; some start hurriedly, catch a glimpse of approaching motor cars, and turn back; some go forward cautiously to the center of the street, and then run for the opposite curb; some, seemingly absorbed in thought, heedlessly attempt to cross at the wrong moment. A majority, however, advance leisurely and with assurance, making the crossing with dignity and in safety.

Upon observation, it will be noted that all except the last class are generally watching the oncoming traffic, while those in the last class keep their gaze fixed on the traffic signal. While it may appear that the approaching motors cannot possibly be checked in time, there is the signal, representing the law of the city and of the state. It spells safety; and the pedestrian may step out with confidence, whatever the traffic may seem to be doing. On the one side, very apparent to the shrinking senses, appears imminent danger; on the other, there is the silent potency of the invisible power which men call law.

Metaphysically considered, this furnishes a helpful lesson for the Christian Scientist. Since the word "science" is defined as exact, demonstrable knowledge, the Christian Scientist is one who knows exactly, and can demonstrate what he knows. It is apparent that the sort of advance we make in the Christian life is wholly determined by the nature of the evidence we are considering or admitting. Isaiah wrote, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Are we paying attention to the threatenings of so-called mortal mind, or are we looking away from the evidence of the senses and recognizing the control of Spirit? Many times it may appear as if we were directly in the path of rapidly approaching danger, material sense arguing that rescue is impossible, and trying to confuse us by flashing before the mental gaze a bewildering array of terrors. Shall we hesitate or turn back? Shall we not, rather, look away from the false evidence of material sense and fix thought on divine Principle, ever governing not only each individuality but the entire universe? As we are thus reassured by contemplation of divine Truth, fear will disappear, courageous progress will be made, and the proof will be secured that divine law is indeed omnipotent.

To the Israelites, encamped in the narrow pass at Pi-hahiroth, with the pursuing Egyptians close behind them, the testimony of the physical senses must have seemed well-nigh overwhelming. Despairingly they cried to Moses, "Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness?" Moses' reply bade them "stand still"—always the wise course when assailed by a sense of mental confusion. Then came the divine command: "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: but lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it." There, in plain view, was the army of Pharaoh, a terrifying sight to the poor fugitives with its imposing splendor of accouterments, war horses, and chariots; but before them was the uplifted rod of their intrepid leader, symbolic of authority and power, representing divine law. Inspired with confidence, they made the wonderful passage through the Red Sea.

In Jesus' hour of earthly extremity, when his enemies sought him in Gethsemane to drag him before a prejudiced tribunal and later to the cross, what evidence in favor of the power of evil could have been more appalling? Yet, after Judas had given the kiss of betrayal and Peter had struck the blow which cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest, Jesus rebuked this latter display of material resistance, adding, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" He was not intimidated by the raging of human hate, because he perceived the control of spiritual law.

Again, when Jesus stood before the Roman governor and heard his scornful boast, "Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?" the Master calmly replied, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above." His pure sense at once rejected the claim of mortal power, and steadfastly remained fixed upon the evidence of spiritual control.

The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 226, 227), "The lame, the deaf, the dumb, the blind, the sick, the sensual, the sinner, I wished to save from the slavery of their own beliefs and from the educational systems of the Pharaohs, who to-day, as of yore, hold the children of Israel in bondage. I saw before me the awful conflict, the Red Sea and the wilderness; but I pressed on through faith in God, trusting Truth, the strong deliverer, to guide me into the land of Christian Science, where fetters fall and the rights of man are fully known and acknowledged."

Had the Leader of the great Christian Science movement given heed to material portents, she would have halted on the very threshold of her work. Her determination to spread abroad the priceless knowledge she had gained of the Christ, Truth, alienated from her many of her own friends, drew upon her bitter opposition, malicious attack, vituperation from press and pulpit. From the material sense which continually testified to the onslaughts of evil, she steadfastly turned away, reassuring herself with the evidence of spiritual law. Thus the waves of error parted before her as did the Red Sea before the Israelites. Undismayed by the threatenings of the carnal or mortal mind, she "pressed on through faith in God," and triumphantly proved throughout her human experience the omnipresence and omnipotence of the law of God, the law of divine Love.

The followers of our Leader have ample opportunity to prove the truth in the manner she did. Perhaps the healing of disease is the phase of Christian Science in which most people are chiefly interested. Since the effect of the human mind upon the human body is now quite generally admitted, it is manifest that to contemplate a disordered body can produce only fear and a consequent aggravation of distressing symptoms. What if the physical senses do testify to the approach or presence of some disease to which human belief has given a terrifying name? Shall we give heed to them as the Israelites might have given heed to the hosts of Pharaoh until mesmerized and overcome by the apparition? Nay, we must turn from them to perceive the way of escape; we must fix our thought on God, the loving Father-Mother; we must cling trustingly to the divine will that wills only good, to infinite Love, which expresses itself in infinite beneficence.

Are we compelled to meet the belief of lack? Does mortal sense parade before us the claims of poverty, debt, and want? Do the arguments of old age rise up, taunting us with suggestions of decadence? These threatenings may seem very terrifying if we allow ourselves to dwell upon them; in fact, we may be thrown into great disorder and take many foolish steps which later we shall have to retrace; we may be put into undignified positions from which it will not be easy to extricate ourselves. None of these things can befall, however, if we will but turn our mental gaze to God, divine Principle, that which determines the operation of spiritual law. "I have been young, and now am old," wrote the Psalmist, "yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." Many such texts are to be found in the Bible, each one a signal of safety.

Yes, and even in the presence of that which Paul termed the "last enemy," what is the duty and inestimable privilege of the Christian Scientist? He must refuse to contemplate as real the physical evidences of dissolution. Remembering that the Revelator speaks of this "last enemy" as being overcome, not submitted to, the Christian Scientist appeals from the clamor of the senses, with their insistence on the inevitable, to "the resuscitating law of Life" (Science and Health, p. 180). Then he can say rejoicingly with the Psalmist, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

Copyright, 1926, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.