Nature's Grand Lessons

FRANCES LESLIE HARRIS

In the nineteenth psalm we read, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." At the glorious season of springtime the significance of this Scriptural truth comes with renewed force to every nature lover! And particularly to Christian Scientists does the coming afresh of beauty bring inspiration and hope. That Jesus felt the efficacy of nature to teach grand lessons is proved by his recourse to it for illustrations in his Sermon on the Mount and in his parables. The fig tree, the mustard seed, the tares, and the lilies of the field—all these aided him in teaching simply and forcefully.

Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, also showed a keen appreciation of the inspiration to be gained from nature. On page 240 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she writes, "Nature voices natural, spiritual law and divine Love;" and she adds, "Arctic regions, sunny tropics, giant hills, winged winds, mighty billows, verdant vales, festive flowers, and glorious heavens,—all point to Mind, the spiritual intelligence they reflect."

Can we not, then, in our enjoyment of the beauty of the springtime, look deeper and see more than the transitory loveliness of sense-testimony? Can we not see symbolized the one Mind governing, controlling, beautifying, replenishing? Flowers, Mrs. Eddy defines as "hieroglyphs of Deity" (ibid.). May we not see them, then, as symbols of the infinite beauty of Soul? And by the birds, flashing in the sunlight as they dart from tree to tree or singing their glad songs, may there not be recalled to us the inspired thought, exalted by the spirit of gladness, which rises above mortal belief and reaches even unto heaven?

We are reminded on page 326 of Science and Health that "all nature teaches God's love to man." And how important it is that we learn to appreciate this great verity! If suffering from a belief of limitation, let us remember how our heavenly Father feeds the ravens; then shall we pray with more expectant faith, "Give us this day our daily bread." If through a closed heart we are robbing ourselves of abundant joy and friendship, let us heed the lesson of unselfishness taught by the simple woodland flower, which, wherever it may be, lives to lavish its loveliness and fragrance. Then shall we hourly and continually show forth grace and kindness, sweet with the perfume of gratitude.

To sit on a hillside, alone with divine Truth, is to feel "the solemn hush of being, newly born": there the peace and quiet and harmony of reality are revealed. Above is the sky, unfathomable like the infinitude of God; below, the clear, trickling stream teaching its lessons of purity and constant activity in good. Around, about, are the firmly rooted trees, admonishing us to cling fast to God, lest the storms of mortal mind uproot us. In their branches the birds flit untiringly from limb to limb, searching out the daily supply provided for them. And constantly they stop to pour forth their songs of joy and thanksgiving. The flowers also, modest and pure, teach silent lessons in humility and beauty, while many a blossom spreads abroad its fragrance, as if in silent adoration.

Surely amid such beauty, affording such abundant proof of God's love, we may indeed "be still, and know that I am God."

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Success of The Christian Science Monitor

July 28, 1928

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