THE statement from Mrs. Eddy's book "Miscellaneous writings" (p. 268), "Truth is used to waiting," contains much assurance and comfort for those who have set out on the Christ-way as revealed in Christian Science. In their manner of living these spiritual pilgrims may drop below the standard of holiness and may keenly feel their shortcomings; yet, whatever the lack or failure, whatever the condition or problem, the fact remains, fraught with cheer and encouragement for all, that "Truth is used to waiting."

If we slip and fall when traveling along the highway of righteous endeavor, this does not change or affect the road. The path lies before us always ready for our footsteps. The goal constantly beckons us onward, and it is for us to rise and resume our journey. Whatever our experiences may be, the Science of Christianity, comprising the demonstrable verities about God, man, and the universe, abides the same yesterday, to-day, and forever, bidding each one to understand and practice its Principle and rules.

The verity of righteous living is evident from an incident in the life of Moses. It will be recalled that the Hebrew leader, descending from the mountain where he had received the law, was moved to indignation at beholding the idolatry and apostasy of the Israelites, and dashed the tables of stone to the ground. What then? Did he thus sever his relationship with the Almighty? Had he exhausted the divine patience by his action? Not at all; for we read that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest." How grateful Moses must have felt for these instructions! He was to have another opportunity. A duplicate of the original Commandments was to be furnished him as a perpetual guide for human conduct. For in this same Scriptural passage is set forth the nature of Deity as "merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin."

We may well be thankful for the second tables of stone and what they imply; for, although it is our purpose and desire to keep the divine commands, we seem to fail so often. We may give way to fear or irritability; may sometimes yield to discouragement, accepting the suggestion to believe in an evil power; in the hour of trial we may resort to an unspiritual remedy, so having another god; or, smarting under an injustice, we may harbor resentment toward a fellow man, thus bearing false witness against our neighbor. However, our case is not hopeless, for the divine compassion and mercy are unfailing, and, like Moses, we may hear the word of the Lord, saying, "Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first." There is always another opportunity. It may mean work for us to regain our position, as in the case of Moses, who was given something to do: he had to hew out the tables. But it is cause for rejoicing that God's ever operative law is at hand, and waits for us to observe its requirements. As changeless as the rules of mathematics, God's righteous law forever stands for each one to learn and apply. In the words of Mrs. Eddy (Christian Healing, p. 19), "Tireless Being, patient of man's procrastination, affords him fresh opportunities every hour."

Our subject may be further illustrated by an episode in the history of Elijah. Having fled into the wilderness to escape the indignant Jezebel, in weariness and despondence the prophet fell asleep. Then an angel touched him, saying, "Arise and eat." He obeyed, but went to sleep again. At this, did the angel depart, leaving him alone in his misery? No, the record states that the angel touched him the second time, repeating the admonition, "Arise and eat."

How many students of Christian Science have felt the Christly touch, the hand of divine power extended to them in their darkness and despair; have heard the call to action; have risen to a higher level of consciousness; have partaken of the heavenly food; and then, perhaps, comforted and satisfied, have succumbed to the mesmerism of material sense, and have fallen asleep once more! Have they thereby sinned away their day of grace? Shall they nevermore experience that gentle touch or hear that celestial voice? Has the angel forsaken them, and are they to be left to drowse away the hours in false security and ease? Not so! God's representatives do not desert us. Whatever our state or situation, we may be sure that He who is unchanging Love will continue to send His messengers until, here or hereafter, we are roused from our slumbers, heed their directions, respond to the divine impulse, and, strengthened by the spiritual manna provided, proceed upon our heavenward way. Every traveler on the road from matter to Spirit is grateful for this repeated touch, this reiterated call of Truth. Each morning, indeed at any moment, we may hear the invitation, "Arise and eat," and, with fresh hope and courage, make another start upon our upward spiritual pathway.

What is here written offers no justification for any breach of the moral law, nor does it afford the least encouragement for sloth in the spiritualization of our thinking, with recurrent lapses into ways of self-indulgence. Violation of the divine precepts brings penalty. If we go to sleep in materiality, we lose valuable time, put a check upon our progress, and are thus exposed to the limitations and troubles of physical sense. No possible benefit can be derived from keeping Truth waiting for a moment. Our safety requires wakefulness and vigilance; our highest welfare consists in immediate response to the demands of Principle. But when we do suffer for disobedience; when, mesmerized by earthly falsities, we seem to be separated from God, let us remember that the approach to the mercy seat is always unobstructed, the door leading to the highest spiritual achievement is ever open, for "Truth is used to waiting."

Copyright, 1931, 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.