IN Science and Health (p. 250) Mrs. Eddy says. "Man is not God, but like a ray of light which comes from the sun, man, the outcome of God, reflects God." The value of this comparison is enhanced by considering some of the so-called physical properties of light. When a ray of light is stopped by a material body, it illumines and warms that body, but otherwise fails to express that body's identity. If on the other hand the ray of light is treated scientifically by means of a camera obscura, it can be focused, and will then give a picture or reflection of the object upon which it is directed. The accuracy of such a picture is judged through knowledge of the original or source.
Were a man to see such a picture representing his native city, he would mentally compare it with what he knows to be true. If he finds therein contorted houses and twisted streets, he is not alarmed for his city, nor does he rush out and insist upon taking material means for its support. He knows that the contortions are merely illusions produced by faults in the camera. He never for one moment supposes that the original needs rectification, neither does he believe that rectifying the counterfeit or picture would help the original; but he does know that the purer and more perfect the camera, the more closely will the original be reproduced. Should the picture suddenly disappear from the camera, even then he has no fear for the safety of his city. In all these cases understanding delivers him from the fear which would have been induced had he accepted the testimony of sense-perception.
To investigate in detail the comparison of man to a ray of light, as taught by Mrs. Eddy, requires that the terms ray, radiant, focus, mirage, and the like, be examined in her various writings, which can easily be done with the aid of the concordances, and will richly repay the search. This will reveal that, like the ray of light, the human concept of man requires scientific treatment before the reflection of God is spiritually discerned.
