The demands of spiritualized thought and activity, and the need of breasting the tumult for the sake of the joy that is set before us, have revealed a strength in which former fatigues have been forgotten, and have, furthermore, banished as treasonable the once alluring and self-justifying argument of holiday rest. The expediences of travel for pleasure-seeking or bodily isolation in the past have too often utterly failed to stimulate the monotony or loosen the tension of human thought, as is proved by the fact that they have not always made men kindlier, more tolerant and generous, more grateful for the opportunity of ceaseless service. Of themselves alone, neither the charm of the sonorous sea, the serenity of the lofty mountains, the gentleness of the pastoral hills, nor the busy "cities of the plain" can give to mankind the inspiration now being demonstrated in accordance with Mrs. Eddy's declaration, in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 519), "The highest and sweetest rest, even from a human standpoint, is in holy work." And what, asks humanity, is "holy work"?
The Christian Scientist finds rest and strength in that mental activity or spiritual contemplation which serves most to enlarge his spiritual vision and increase his gratitude; and divine wisdom has ordained that this be gained through the enforced consideration of the direct opposite of personal desires. To him, then, holiday rest means that God's righteous judgments are new every morning. It is the practice and experience of what he spiritually contemplates, and not limited physical recuperation, which give him the unusual but not unnatural strength with which he may work; and he finds that the yoke under which he serves his Master is indeed easy and its burden light.
The great Teacher, who called the weary and heavy-laden to the living fountain of his gospel, had moments of longing for temporary separation from the demands of material thought; for none knew better than he how great were the number and needs of those who selfishly sought him that they might claim personal immunity from trouble, far in excess of their desire to lead corrected lives. The world of Jesus' time, just as of ours, had its dishonest parasitical tendencies; and the Master fully exposed every remote and insidious assertion of predatory human will.
