THAT light exists coincident with the true creation and is, therefore, wholly spiritual in its nature is evidenced by the fact that the divine mandate, "Let there be light," follows almost immediately upon the opening of the inspired record in the first chapter of Genesis. Humanity has for countless centuries ceaselessly strained toward this light and in periods of doubt, darkness, and uncertainty has turned to the divine source for comfort and guidance. The Psalmist prayed, "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me." When men and women have emulated this example, they have found peace and assurance; and the triumphant song of the Psalmist, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path," has also found an echo in the human heart.
Students of Christian Science are inexpressibly grateful that its inspired Discoverer and Founder, Mary Baker Eddy, has given to the world in her various writings an interpretation of the Scriptures which is revealing the true meaning of their symbolic utterances. On page 510 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she makes the following statement concerning light: "Light is a symbol of Mind,of Life, Truth, and Love and not a vitalizing property of matter." This scientific definition takes light entirely out of the realm of physics, where it is regarded as luminous energy, and restores it to its proper place in the realm of infinite Spirit, where it is a characteristic of divine, creative Mind.
Consideration of the word "light," as used symbolically throughout the Scriptures, clearly reveals the fact that from first to last the term indicates spiritual illumination. The final reference from the last chapter of Revelation quite obviously alludes to the spiritually enlightened consciousness: "And they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light."
