"Progress is born of experience"

IRENE CONSTANCE HEMANS

A Student of Christian Science was struggling with a seemingly tenacious phase of error that marred the harmony of her life and claimed to be distressing beyond endurance. In spite of help from a practitioner and much faithful work done on her own part, she cried out. "Oh, when shall I ever again gain that state of thought I used to have before this problem arose?" But like a flash came the answer from ever-present Mind: "Why, you will never return to that state of thought, because this experience is compelling you to seek and understand more of your true being as the child of God. You will never go back where you were." Great peace flooded her consciousness with the receiving of this truth.

On page 296 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes: "Progress is born of experience. It is the ripening of mortal man, through which the mortal is dropped for the immortal." The student's problem was not immediately solved after her inspiring and uplifting glimpse of Truth. But with the continued help of the practitioner and the devoted encouragement of Christian Science friends, the clouds rolled back, her vision became clearer, and a life of great happiness through spiritual activity unfolded.

This unfoldment has continued, and with it has come an unceasing urge to carry on with a greater and ever-growing consecration the work of Christian Science, which is blessing all mankind. A deep and mighty happiness makes her exclaim many times, both silently and audibly (Ps. 23:5), "My cup runneth over."

When our train enters a tunnel as we journey toward some anticipated goal, we do not fear or mind the momentary darkness, for the expectation of emerging into clear daylight and seeing beautiful views of ocean, countryside, or mountains keeps us rejoicing. Nor would we ever entertain the thought that the tunnel had wiped out the beautiful scenery which our better sense tells us is there, though it is temporarily shut off from our sight.

The suggestion that the tunnel will prevent us from reaching our destination never even presents itself. Our one thought is that we are to arrive, and since the tunnel is to shorten our journey we have no fear of it. "When the destination is desirable." our Leader assures us, "expectation speeds our progress." On our journey Spiritward there may be many a tunnel experience. But, oh, let us rejoice, for if we will only turn to the light of Christ, Truth, we shall come out of the experience farther along our route, having learned some of Love's tender lessons and seen the fulfillment of its promise (Hebr. 13:5), "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

Like the children of Israel, we are all journeying through the wilderness of material sense. Oftentimes the belief of pleasure or pain in matter appears to project shadows on our pathway, retard our footsteps, and hinder our onward march; perhaps discouragement and weariness may even whisper their lies. But inspiring moments of refreshment are ours as we rest beside some oasis of spiritual vision of man's oneness with and dearness to God, our forever loving Father and guide. Then with renewed courage we push on, the heavy burden having grown lighter, for we have seen more clearly that it is no part of our spiritual selfhood.

Now because of our spiritual renewal we go bravely forward with freer step, head up, better able to help a fellow traveler along the road. We keep our gaze faithfully fixed on the goal of proving man's God-given dominion over all earthly beliefs. Equipped with the strength of Spirit, we courageously face the Red Sea of belief in and fear of evil. Mindful of the Lord's command to Moses (Ex.14:15) to go forward, joyfully, trustingly, triumphantly, and with a clear realization of the utter powerlessness of error, we meet the apparent danger that would claim to engulf us and see it retreat to its native nothingness. We then hear something of the comforting message that came to the Israelites (Ex. 14:13). "The Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever."

Let us renew our courage and our endeavor and cling steadfastly to the truth of God's ever-presence. Then we may face all tunnel experiences with the certitude of joyful emerging. The teachings of Christian Science, in the measure that we accept and understand them, not only hearten and quicken but also increase our strength and courage. As we hold unwaveringly to the light of Truth, we find it leading us on and illumining the path we are to tread. The spiritual meaning of the statements of truth in our two guidebooks, the Bible and Science and Health, as well as in our Leader's other writings, stand out clearly.

In that light divine we recognize in some degree our perfect selfhood as the beloved child of God, untouched by error's suggestions of materiality and separation from good. A sense of desolation and helplessness is placed by joyful dominion, the desert blooms as a rose, and we prove the truth of our Leader's words on pages 66 and 67 of her textbook: "Sorrow has its reward. It never leaves us where it found us. The furnace separates the gold from the dross that the precious metal may be graven with the image of God."

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