THE word "chasten" is defined, in part, in Webster's International Dictionary in the following words: "To purify from errors or faults; to refine."
On page 322 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes: "The sharp experiences of belief in the supposititious life of matter, as well as our disappointments and ceaseless woes, turn us like tired children to the arms of divine Love. Then we begin to learn Life in divine Science. Without this process of weaning, 'Canst thou by searching find out God?'"
Whether his disobedience be willful or due to the influence of his associates, a child's failure to heed the instruction of his human parent may result in his experiencing trouble; and in this manner he may quickly learn the need and value of right thinking and acting. Thus, while there may not have been direct correction by the parent, who may indeed have been entirely ignorant of the happening, a chastened child generally emerges corrected from the experience.
