TO pilgrims under hot skies, how cheering and heartening the cry that tells of the approach to wells of springing water in a thirsty land! Often did the Israelites of old draw near to such quiet resting places during their long travel in the wilderness; and it is easy to see how these springs would gradually become associated with sacred aspirations and holy desires, and would symbolize "living waters" flowing from the eternal God. Hence, in the Bible we often find wells and springs and fountains spoken of in connection with deep spiritual experiences. Many times are they mentioned by the prophets or in those outpourings of holy exaltation known as the Psalms. The writings of Isaiah, too, are rich in reference to the water of Life, their beautiful imagery stirring the heart to a sense of its own parched weariness, and wakening a longing to drink of life-giving fountains.
In the Old Testament we have a picture of Isaac at Gerar digging again the wells which had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, and which the Philistines had stopped. He and his followers had a long struggle with the would-be owners of the wells, but at last his people had access to the water.
In our own day the life of Mary Baker Eddy exemplified a similar earnest struggle to dig anew for us the wells of salvation, wells long choked with the debris of material beliefs. Her efforts were crowned with success, and the Science of Christianity, which she discovered, has made of the Bible an open book for all to read and understand.
