Part 69 (2/2)
demonstrated.
The foolish virgins had no oil in their lamps: their way was material; thus they were in doubt and dark- ness. They heeded not their sloth, their fading warmth [5]
of action; hence the steady decline of spiritual light, until, the midnight gloom upon them, they must borrow the better-tended lamps of the faithful. By entering the guest-chamber of Truth, and beholding the bridal of Life and Love, they would be wedded to a higher [10]
understanding of G.o.d. Each moment's fair expect- ancy was to behold the bridegroom, the One ”altogether lovely.”
It was midnight: darkness profound brooded over earth's lazy sleepers. With no oil in their lamps, no [15]
spiritual illumination to look upon him whom they had pierced, they heard the shout, ”The bridegroom cometh!”
But how could they behold him? Hear that human cry: ”Oh, lend us your oil! our lamps have gone out,- no light! earth's fables flee, and heaven is afar [20]
off.”
The door is shut. The wise virgins had no oil to spare, and they said to the foolish, ”Go to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” Seek Truth, and pursue it. It should cost you something: you are willing to pay for error [25]
and receive nothing in return; but if you pay the price of Truth, you shall receive _all_.
”The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light;” they watch the market, acquaint themselves with the etiquette of the exchange, [30]
and are ready for the next move. How much more should we be faithful over the few things of Spirit, that are able
[Page 343.]
to make us wise unto salvation! Let us watch and pray [1]
that we enter not into the temptation of ease in sin; and let us not forget that others before us have laid upon the altar all that we have to sacrifice, and have pa.s.sed to their reward. Too soon we cannot turn from disease [5]
in the body to find disease in the mortal mind, and its cure, in working for G.o.d. Thought must be made better, and human life more fruitful, for the divine energy to move it onward and upward.
Warmed by the suns.h.i.+ne of Truth, watered by the [10]
heavenly dews of Love, the fruits of Christian Science spring upward, and away from the sordid soil of self and matter. Are we clearing the gardens of thought by up- rooting the noxious weeds of pa.s.sion, malice, envy, and strife? Are we picking away the cold, hard pebbles of [15]
selfishness, uncovering the secrets of sin and burnis.h.i.+ng anew the hidden gems of Love, that their pure perfection shall appear? Are we feeling the vernal freshness and suns.h.i.+ne of enlightened faith?
The weeds of mortal mind are not always destroyed [20]
by the first uprooting; they reappear, like devastating witch-gra.s.s, to choke the coming clover. O stupid gar- dener! watch their reappearing, and tear them away from their native soil, until no seedling be left to propagate- and rot.
Among the manifold soft chimes that will fill the haunted [25]
chambers of memory, this is the sweetest: ”Thou hast been faithful!”
[Page 344.]
True Philosophy And Communion
It is related of Justin Martyr that, hearing of a Pythag- [2]
orean professor of ethics, he expressed the wish to be- come one of his disciples. ”Very well,” the teacher replied; ”but have you studied music, astronomy, and [5]
geometry, and do you think it possible for you to under- stand aught of that which leads to bliss, without hav- ing mastered the sciences that disengage the soul from objects of sense, so rendering it a fit habitation for the intelligences?” On Justin's confessing that he had [10]
not studied those branches, he was dismissed by the professor.
Alas for such a material science of life! Of what avail would geometry be to a poor sinner struggling with temptation, or to a man with the smallpox? [15]
Ancient and modern philosophies are spoiled by lack of Science. They would place Soul wholly inside of body, intelligence in matter; and from error of premise would seek a correct conclusion. Such philosophy can never demonstrate the Science of Life,-the Science which [20]
Paul understood when he spoke of willingness ”to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord.” Such philosophy is far from the rules of the mighty Nazarene Prophet. His words, living in our hearts, were these: ”Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of G.o.d as [25]
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