In going into a dark room from a lighted one, there is usually a sense of difficulty in finding one's way towards the farther side of the room; but on returning to the lighted room, one finds the light by which he can walk with assurance. All obstacles being clearly seen, they can therefore be avoided. This illustrates the change Christian Science brings about in human experience. A person knowing nothing of Christian Science is mentally in a dark room, as it were unconscious almost of any light until he turns toward the one ray, perhaps, that begins to shine into his thought. He walks toward it; and finally emerges into the full light, realizing light all about him,—the light of Truth.
The student of Christian Science recognizes the difference when conversing with one who is not yet a Scientist; and he knows the reason for the difference. For while both may be recognizing a material seeming,—the ordinary material environment, or some claim of sin or disease,—the one seeing no light can find no relief, and the uncertainty of all things in the darkness fills him with fear; but the student of Christian Science, in the degree in which he has experienced the light which Christian Science reveals, surveys mortal evidence in the light of Truth. With that light shining on the obstructions of so-called mortal mind, he is able to gauge them correctly. He is able to listen to a tale of distress calmly, without mesmerizing himself with false pity or fear, because he knows that the conditions are not real. His quiet sense of confidence will help the sufferer. He must be true to the light, and not sacrifice his Christianly scientific sense of being to a false sympathy. The woes of human sense, the stumblingblocks of darkened thinking, cease to be obstructions as soon as one is conscious of the light of Truth.
As beginners, we are sometimes like Thomas when he said to Jesus, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" Thomas was a disciple of the Master; and yet, he spoke these words out of the darkness of mortal mind. Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Philip said, "Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us." In our work to-day, sometimes we find ourselves like Philip, and sometimes like Thomas. We ask, How shall we perfectly apply the truth? How shall we see the Father, divine Principle, operative in all things? Jesus knew the answer to these questions, for he ever moved in the consciousness of Truth; and in the reflection of that true light he was able to estimate all things correctly. To his clear vision, all things fell into their rightful places, received their just award, their "righteous judgment." Then, if we follow his instructions to his disciples in the light of Christian Science, we, too, shall understand.
