"From sense to Soul" MANILLA HARRIS SMITH          By considering the material sense of existence as the “passage from sense to Soul,” as Mrs. Eddy refers to it on page 566 of our textbook, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” we realize that all humanity is at varying stages of this selfsame journey. Soul is our spiritual goal or destination; but while material sense experience seems peaceful and pleasant, mortals are likely to give scant attention to any thought of progress out of it. It is as impossible, however, to remain forever in ignorance of this false sense testimony, as it is for a fish to continue to live out of water, since Soul is our native element.          Something must arouse us out of this satisfied drifting in a false sense of life! Possibly some word of Truth may reach us to lift thought from the seeming; or it may be that a trying problem will bring us face to face with the perilous experience, showing the frailty and futility of human planning. From the artificial light of material pleasures, night closes around us, forcing us to seek the true light, which alone can dispel this darkness and lead to permanent joy. Thus thought learns humility, and is prepared for the steps of real progress.          Our dear Leader has stationed many guides along our way. On page 174 of Science and Health we read: “The footsteps of thought, rising above material standpoints, are slow, and portend a long night to the traveller; but the angels of His presence — the spiritual intuitions that tell us when ‘the night is far spent, the day is at hand’ — are our guardians in the gloom.”          On this life-journey there may seem to be encountered delays, detours, discomforts, fatigue, illness, storms, and accidents. Should we seem to lose our way in the mists of ignorance, this would be only a mirage of mortal mind; for truer than a mariner’s needle which points to the pole is the ever illuminating light of divine Love, showing us how to turn from error. Should we encounter whirlwinds from the storm clouds of disobedience, the “still small voice” may even then be heard saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” Or, perchance, should we stand aghast in the shadow of a great fear, trembling at the thought of our own insufficiency, then the promise, “He shall give his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways,” will fill us with the perfect love that “casteth out fear.” Mrs. Eddy points out that acquaintance with the Bible means protection, referring to it, on page 24 of Science and Health, as “the chart of life, where the buoys and healing currents of Truth are pointed out.”          There may be valleys of lack and loss for us to traverse; but when we are mindful of our goal, the steppingstones of Truth are discerned even through tears of disappointment; and these lead us back to the straight and narrow path. When we come to any sense of emptiness in our experience, there are always God’s angels to minister to us and show us the way, as in the case of the two Marys at the tomb of the risen Saviour.          In place of the uncertainties and dangers of the sense-journey, we gradually become conscious of traveling on a divinely conducted way, with a definite and desirable destination assured, proving that we have glimpsed the goal of Soul, attained not by drifting with popular opinion, but by orderly and methodical application of the directions established for the good of all. How travel heavenward is simplified under the guidance of Truth! Should we fear or falter on a journey so divinely protected?          To reach the foothills is only an urge to the mountains beyond. So why should we wish to linger in the sense-valleys, when the wondrous heights of Soul are all about us, to be enjoyed whenever we are willing to make the effort to climb? From the first cry of the newborn babe entering upon the journey of material sense, the human heart can never be fully quieted until it finds the perfect love of the Father-Mother God. How joyous should be our entrance into the life of Soul, the true abiding place, the city foursquare!   "From sense to Soul" by Manilla Harris Smith Christian Science Sentinel, February 5, 1927

 

| Home | Library |

Copyright © 1996-2005 CSEC