In Psalms (119:18) we have a noteworthy prayer: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." This prayer met with a ready response in the heart of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. She beheld wondrous things out of God's law and was inspired to write and give to the hungering world the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." The truth in this book has brought to countless thousands of its readers throughout the world hope, courage, joy, health, activity, and an abundance of good. It has lifted them above the bondage of materiality imposed by a wrong concept of God and man into the light of spiritual perception.
In the Glossary of Science and Health (p. 586) Mrs. Eddy defines eyes as "spiritual discernment,—not material but mental." As we realize that discernment of divine truths comes not through mortal vision, but through spiritual unfoldment in consciousness, we too may behold wondrous things—the spiritual or scientific facts of being—out of God's law. These facts include the truth that God is all-power, all presence, infinite Mind, the All-in-all, and that man is His image and likeness.
An incident well worth considering is the experience of Hagar and her little son, who were driven from home. They had wandered in the wilderness until both were exhausted and their supply of water was spent. Hagar was so bowed with grief and fear for the child's life that she cast him under a bush and sat down some distance away so that she might not witness his death. As she sat weeping, an angel called to her, saying: "What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation" (Gen. 21:17, 18). Then her eyes were opened to see a well, and she filled her bottle and gave the child water. No matter through what wilderness experience we seem to be passing—sickness, discordant human relationships, lack, worry—there is always "a well of water" to meet our need.
