The divine Mind, infinite in beauty and grandeur, speaks to us clearly in nature's solitudes, assuring us of the ever-presence of changeless harmony. As we go back into society, we may preserve this dawning perception of spiritual reality and maintain the harmony thus discerned, felt, and enjoyed; for, while striving to obey the divine will, we can commune with God under all circumstances, in every place. The prophet Isaiah uses the simple symbolism drawn from nature to illustrate spiritual harmony when he declares, "Ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

Christ Jesus drew attention to the deep lessons to be learned from nature, from the flowers of the field and from the birds of the air. The merry singing of the birds reminds us of the ever present harmony of the divine Mind. Rivers, trees, and flowery meadows all teach their lessons in the spiritual verities, symbolizing "the beauty of holiness," and speaking to us of the endless variety of the spiritual capabilities of man as a child of God. In referring to Christ Jesus' work, Mary Baker Eddy, on page 91 of "Retrospection and Introspection," writes: "To the students whom he had chosen, his immortal teaching was the bread of Life. When he was with them, a fishing-boat became a sanctuary, and the solitude was peopled with holy messages from the All-Father. The grove became his class-room, and nature's haunts were the Messiah's university." Anyone who loves the haunts of nature, loves to be in the great out-of-doors, cannot fail to appreciate, at least in some measure, these words written by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

One day, while the writer was on a long train journey over the western prairies, he heard now and again above the din of the train the clear, heartening note of the meadow lark. One might suppose that the noise of the railroad cars would have drowned the note of this ever welcome songster, but no! the bird's song rose distinctly above the clamor of the wheels. This brought to the writer a clear sense of the omnipotence of spiritual harmony, the power of scientific declarations of Truth, even though materiality appears to be so prevalent. As we proceed on our journey through life, although the material senses clamor for recognition and attention, claiming that matter is supreme, all-important, and ever present, the tender tones of infinite Spirit reach our inward ear, assuring us of the omnipotence and omnipresence of the one divine Mind.

We are frequently told that humanity has made rapid advance, the progress of human inventions being pointed to as evidence of this fact. It is indeed true that rapid progress is being made, and for this we can be thankful. But we do well to be modest in our estimate of this progress. In Christ Jesus' day it was usual to travel by horse, camel, ox, mule, or on foot; while transportation by water was ordinarily limited to that of the sailing ship or the rowboat, and similar simple methods. To-day, the railroad train, the automobile, the aeroplane, and the steamship have in large measure taken the place of those simple modes of transit. Yet, while human inventions and living conditions were comparatively crude in Christ Jesus' day, he himself exemplified the perfect art of healing by spiritual means, and the highest standard of refinement. Christian Science has brought to light the divine Principle and method of Jesus' work. A good beginning has been made in this age in the practice of the method of healing and the rule of living which Christ Jesus used and exemplified. How great is our privilege to advance, through conscientious and consecrated work, in that greatest of all attainments, Christian healing!

In these days when human inventions seem to occupy attention and appear to afford proud satisfaction, the Christian Scientist keeps clearly in thought the all-importance of the verities of Spirit. Human inventions may and do dispense with much laborious toil; they often minister effectually to human comfort and convenience; but they do not insure eternal salvation. Only divine Truth can do that. Whatever enables us to gain clearer views of Truth is, therefore, of paramount importance in this as in every age.

Much time is spent in the study of physics and other material so-called sciences; but metaphysics, the Science of Mind, the greatest of all studies, stands before us with its limitless opportunities of progress and widespread helpfulness. New departments are being established in universities in order to provide for present-day developments. What are we as Christian Scientists doing to provide for and aid the extension of the priceless knowledge of spiritual being, which our revered Leader through unspeakable effort has committed to this age?

The Christ, Truth, which stilled the tempest, declaring, "Peace, be still," speaks yet with authority to the turbulent elements of human thought, proclaiming the presence and power of spiritual harmony. The spiritual facts of harmonious being satisfy thought as nothing else can. These are won by spiritual growth, by obedience to divine law. Our Leader writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 95), "We welcome the increase of knowledge and the end of error, because even human invention must have its day, and we want that day to be succeeded by Christian Science, by divine reality." It is plain, therefore, that at the present stage of human progress, and in fact at all times, it is the part of wisdom to watch lest we mistake an intermediate and incidental stage for the ultimate and essential goal. Our one right goal, as revealed by Christian Science, is spiritual reality. In reality, and in divine Science, all is perfect now. God's work is complete. We may consistently avail ourselves of all those conveniences whereby matter is being subjugated, while ever striving for higher demonstration in healing by spiritual means, and working out the problem of being in the way Christ Jesus taught.

How grateful we can be for Christian Science, which is giving to us to-day a clear understanding and realization of the presence of Christ, Truth, in keeping with the words of Christ Jesus, "Lo, I am with your alway, even unto the end of the world"! The Christ to-day is revealing to us the sacred spiritual verities. The voice of Truth is making itself heard with authority and power, silencing the din and clamor of material sense. Christian Science is spiritualizing thought on all points. Thus human material concepts are yielding to divine ideas. As this spiritualization goes on, we begin to understand in some measure the vision of spiritual harmony gained by the Apostle John, which enabled him to write, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away."

Copyright, 1929, 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.