Lights Along the Way MIGNONETTE C. STARKWEATHER          At a testimony meeting one Wednesday evening, several individuals spoke of certain verses of Scripture or quotations from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, as standing out prominently in their thought. In times of specific need these quotations came clearly to them, and realization of their spiritual import solved the problem seemingly at hand. These remarks reminded one present of a traveler who had a long road to travel, which appeared to be very dark. Knowing it was the right road, however, she started on her way. Before going very far she came within sight of a bright light which illuminated the path for quite a distance, but beyond it looked very dark again. By the time the traveler had gone as far as this light shone, behold, in the distance another light gleamed. Again and again this occurred, until at length she knew that no matter how dark the road seemed at times, the light already seen was sufficient until more light came, and that more light was there as soon as it was really needed. The quotations referred to may be likened to the lights along the road, and the realization of their truth comes to the faithful student of Christian Science just at the time when it is most needed.          A practitioner on going into a home where death seemed knocking at the door, remarked to a member of the family, "With God all things are possible." As this individual saw the loved one restored to health and began the study of Christian Science, many times when there was a struggle these words came to her, "With God all things are possible," and the path was traveled with renewed courage. This was a wonderful light along the road. The full realization of the truth it proclaims emphasizes the fact that God is the real power, and the practitioner is the messenger presenting the truth about God and man to the patient. On page 207 of Science and Health are these words: "There is but one primal cause. Therefore there can be no effect from any other cause." This has served as another light along the road. Since effect is always of like nature as its cause, then it follows logically that the only effect is good. Exposure to draught, therefore, sudden change of temperature, wet feet, and the like, produce no ill effect in the experience of the alert Christian Scientist who realizes that these conditions are not causes, there being but one real cause; but the acceptance of the false mortal belief is followed by such seeming effects.          When confronted with an erroneous condition, its nothingness can soon be understood if tested out by the following words on page 340 of Science and Health: "All that really exists is in and of God, and manifests His love." If a condition does not exist in God, infinite good; if it has not been made by God and does not manifest God's love, then evidently it does not exist at all. Take, for instance, some claim of sickness. If one is almost believing in its reality, let him quickly apply the test. Does sickness exist in God, in Spirit? Did God make it, when all He made was good? Does sickness manifest God's love? If not it does not exist at all. It is just as much an illusion as that the rails of the railroad track meet in the distance. Now, if we just as surely know that, despite the evidence of the material senses, sickness is also an illusion, may we not overcome it with the same assurance of safety? There will never be room or time for discouragement to creep into thought if one has faith enough to know that no matter how dark it may seem at times, no matter how difficult the situation may appear, still, through and above it all, as Mrs. Eddy tells us on page 503 of Science and Health, "the light of ever-present Love illumines the universe."   "Lights Along the Way" by Mignonette C. Starkweather Christian Science Sentinel, November 29, 1919

 

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