THE last earthly utterance that marked the passing of the German poet, Goethe, was the cry "More light!" Two words of ordinary meaning in common usage, but fraught with a world of significance, wrung as they were from the paling lips of the great scholar.
Goethe had gathered widely from the tree of knowledge, and with instincts of true greatness in turn gave freely of the fruitage of his labors to the world. The age in which he lived acknowledged him as dwelling on a higher platform of thought than his contemporaries, and down through the succeeding century to the present time he has been regarded in all countries as a great literary teacher; and yet of what avail was all his earth-gained knowledge and acquirement when the shadows of earthly sense gathered into the blackness of night. It was then the hungering cry went forth, transforming the man of giant intellect into little more than "an infant crying in the night: an infant crying for the light."
This almost pathetic view of the powerlessness of what the world calls greatness, is looked upon in another light by the Christian Scientist, who discovers a certain loftiness or eloquence in the appeal; and who shall say that it was not the awakening of consciousness out of the dream of life in matter, and the false concept of Light, to an understanding of the reality of being, wherein God—Good— is supreme and His creation, light-illumed, stands revealed perfect and indestructible.
To be a Christian Scientist is to have been awakened, in one degree or another, to this understanding; to see the necessity for more light, and to enter into the pursuit thereof; and the moment the cry goes forth from the heart's fulness, the healing process begins. Such a cry is never unheard or unanswered by "the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning," but straightway the sin-sick and weary ones of earth begin to experience the regenerating influence of the "Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," and to comprehend the meaning of the Scriptural declaration, "Ye must be born again."
The trouble with many human beings is that, either through ignorance or wilfulness, they turn away from spiritual enlightenment. Both conditions are deplorable in that they rob one of physical health and real happiness, and both deny and crucify the living Christ, even as did Peter of old when the devil (evil suggestion) turned him with denial from his Lord, and so did the murderous unbelievers who so despised Jesus that they spat upon him and nailed him to the tree. Is it not evident that sooner or later consciousness must be corrected and spiritualized? Two questions present themselves when thus reflecting upon this seeming depravity: Why do mortals ignore and reject the Christ? and when will they come to a realization of their folly?
Answers deduced from the Scriptures would seem to cover plainly these queries. First: Because "the [human] heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked;" and second: When mortal mind—man's most subtle adversary—shall be delivered to the judge, and the judge shall consign him to prison, he shall not go hence until the mortal shall have put on immortality—until the relinquishment of every belief in or dependence on matter, or, as St. Matthew puts it, until he has paid the uttermost farthing.
Thus it is found that ignorance of God and self deception are manifestly the causes of spiritual blindness, which evil condition will continue until the hungering, groping heart realizes its desolation and goes out in a supplication for more light.
We know that certain inhabitants of the ocean prefer to dwell in the remote and darkened caverns where no penetrating ray ever scatters the gloom, and there they lurk among the shadows until the blessed sense of sight is lost to them, and it may be truly said that "having eyes, they see not." These foolish creatures incur an awful penalty, for all around them is a world of glistening pearls, glowing corals, and grottos filled with rainbow hues and carpeted with wondrous green. Does it seem possible that any creature could voluntarily turn from such beauties to become blind and wretched? Yet even so, here in the upper world, countless mortals sit blind and miserable in the darkened chambers of sense, persistently barring out the sunlight of Truth, and nursing corroding thoughts of envy, hatred, revenge, fear, impurity, disease, and death.
The purpose in giving out this thought, is a longing hope that it may reach some one who sits in the darkened chamber in company with such malignant guests. Such an one I would earnestly urge to arise and throw wide open the window now, drive out the troop of hateful shadows, and let in the flood-tides of Light that in reality surround you, a process not difficult when you know you have but to deny the power of error and darkness and to declare the allness and omniscience of God, Light. Make this denial, dear suffering one, and follow it with the scientific declaration; endeavor to realize that in the Light you live and move and have your being, then note the lessening of your burden. Reflect for one moment on what darkness has meant to you all your years; then reverse the thought to a realization of omnipotent (all-potent), omnipresent (ever-present) Life. Such a procedure is an earnest prayer, a cry to the Father for more light, and such a petition will not return to you void.
Does a lingering sense of bodily pain hold you in what seems an ever-tightening grasp? Delay not one moment to seek the Light that will dispel the awful illusion. You may at first feel an utter powerlessness and say you know not how. Neither did Mrs. Eddy, the messenger who brought us Christian Science,—the Christ Cure,—but in just such a hopeless and helpless moment she turned resolutely to Spirit, and found relief. She proved the divine method to be an absolute and practical cure for every seeming ill, and then, Spirit-led, she gave to the world the Key she had found to unlock the Scriptures, that all might learn thereby how to approach the Great Physician, and be healed. Try this scientific manner of denouncing the enemy that would rob you of your strength and happiness, turning to Spirit for your help. "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: . . . the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward" (Isaiah, 58: 8).
Do the leprous spots of sinful thought and desire make your life a burden? Know that full many a leper has been cleansed and healed by Love. Empty your heart of its impurity, cleanse the wayward hands, and in the hour of purification read and make practical these words of Jesus spoken to the adulterous woman, "Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more. ... I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John, 8:11, 12).
Does death seem real and fearful, and cast a darkened shadow along your pathway, making it chill and desolate? Quickly reverse the thought of fear, and though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you shall fear no evil. Death will become but the shadowy unreality of a haunting dream, all unknown to God, who made only that which is good, and who, therefore, can have no part in death for "In him was life; and the life was the light of men" (John, 1:4).
Do grief and sorrow conspire to bow your form and fill your days and nights with unavailing tears? Cease for a moment your mourning for the earthly loss or trial, and rather mourn that the clouds have so long obscured the sunshine, then will you be blessed, for Jesus has said that those who mourn in this wise shall be comforted, and by relying on this promise he will "turn their mourning into joy, . . . and make them rejoice from their sorrow" (Jeremiah, 31: 13). "Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, ... and the light shall shine upon thy ways" (Job, 22: 27, 28).
These are Christianly scientific methods of rebuking and reversing the discordant hosts that seem to pursue mortals, and it matters not what claim error may make to thwart the Truth, even in the subtle claims of jealousy, hatred, discouragement, self-love, pride, or poverty, all these may be given the lie and have applied to them the divine antidote found on every page of the Scriptures. Our textbook, Science and Health, explains the why and wherefore of Mind Healing. It gives a new impulse and inspiration to "search the Scriptures."
Does this spiritualized idea of light bring to consciousness a glimmering ray of hope that it may lift your veil of darkness? Surely you have a light burning somewhere, be it ever so dimly; it may long since have been hidden under a bushel (discouragement). Only bring it forth and trim it. and the light of Love will increase and glorify it; and thereby, mayhap, some other, sitting in darkness, "may see a great light.
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ... But if we walk in the light, ... we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John, 1: 5, 7).
