"Everything now points in one direction—P. O. E." Thus wrote a young soldier and student of Christian Science to his family.
P. O. E.—Port of Embarkation! These words seemed to say: "One very dear to you has finally reached the point where separation from home and loved ones, a perilous voyage to an unknown destination, and the facing of a formidable foe are inevitable."
Turning quickly from these forebodings, this soldier's mother, also a student of Christian Science, thoughtfully analyzed the situation. During the 'long months of training just completed every step had been taken according to the rules of Christian Science as set forth in the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and had been blessed accordingly. Truly, it could be said, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." It was recalled too that the Explanatory Note in the Christian Science Quarterly reminds the student that our textbook corroborates and explains the Bible texts "in their spiritual import and application to all ages, past, present, and future." So the mother turned earnestly to the Bible and the textbook to study again the Lesson-Sermon for the week in the Christian Science Quarterly. She pondered over the citations, and then suddenly one stood out as if illumined (Science and Health, p. 91): "Let us rid ourselves of' the belief that man is separated from God, and obey only the divine Principle, Life and Love. Here is the great point of departure for all true spiritual growth." "Point of departure for all true spiritual growth"—that must mean the orderly unfoldment of all the glorious attributes of God, she thought; the infinite progression and the eternal development of talents, abilities, and capabilities hitherto undreamed of. Above all, it meant the glad awakening to the realization of the spiritual, indestructible nature of the universe and man. A glorious prospect! And what a happy departure!
