Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Escaping Error's Euroclydon Experiences

Sometimes just remaining afloat on the turbulent ocean of material existence is a victory and cause for rejoicing, but eventually a vigorous effort will need to be made to get to the shore and the "Rock of Ages . . . Safe above life's raging sea." (Hymns 293-95) Some humble, receptive students of Christian Science may surf in on a wave hanging ten, if that's the correct term, with maddening ease while others may flounder and half drown for a time before being cast up like grateful Jonahs upon "Life's shore".

One way to speed up the journey to the beach is to begin thinking much more deeply and prayerfully about every word and sentence in Science and Health. Mary Baker Eddy's rich and precise vocabulary was not a prideful display of erudition. She knew the difficulty of expressing pure metaphysics and Science in human language and therefore chose her words with the inspired foresight and exactness necessary to permit the spiritual sense thereof to be revealed to the diligent and receptive student. A failure to properly discern these shades of meaning and let them lead one on in their "kindly Light" may leave him adrift on the frothy whitecaps of opaque or meaningless expressions and sentences.

Another potential maelstrom awaiting the striving Scientist is the sometimes brazen, sometimes subtle, "vanity sizing" of a number of important standards and requirements, one of which was mentioned in a recent entry, and it doesn't take a green eyeshaded accountant to ferret out others. To allow oneself to be happily deceived into a false sense of security about the requirements of obedience and way-marks of real progress is to risk being abandoned on the becalmed and dispiriting waters of that "Ancient Marriner" of whom Coleridge wrote. "Water, water, every where,/ Nor any drop to drink."

I cannot resist adding as a postscript those wonderful lines near the end of this great poem, which I have quoted before:
He prayeth best who loveth best
All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all.

20 comments:

A supporter said...

Very fine essay, blogger. And love the way you end this.
Thanks much,

Anonymous said...

Hi Christian.
Had to read through this twice to get what you're saying here. but think I have it now. You are working to keep us thinking deeper, and I appreciate this.

Best (UK) said...

A fine job, essayist. Enjoyed reading your latest offering.

L. R. said...

You do come up with the most arresting titles. They always draw me in, and I imagine many others as well.

Thanks (CA) said...

Love the way you end your blog post, Christian. And the parts preceding it aren't bad, either.

FL practitioner said...

I was just reading in Science and Health earlier something I had not seen before. It's where Mrs. Eddy refers to Jesus as the great demonstrater of God's power. And to do this, we certainly need to take seriously her explanations of Truth and understand what she was trying to convey.

New England said...

A very good blog post. I enjoy the way you write.

Rolf said...

Dear Sir,
I enjoyed reading this essay very much.
With my sincere wishes to you,

H. B. said...

Aren't we blessed to have Christian Science in our life! You obviously feel as I do as all your blogging shows. Thank you for using your talents for our Cause.

Anonymous said...

You're doing a good job. Keep it up, Christian.

St. Louis, MO said...

Thank you for all you are doing to keep us out here awake and working as we should. I imagine you're a very good Sunday School teacher.

Anonymous said...

You may not wish to write poetry yourself, but you sure have a love for what others write. The ending of this blog post wonderful.

Mark said...

Have to look up "euroclydon", but otherwise, found this blog post to be quite helpful.
Thank you, Christian...

Thanks from Ohio said...

Nice blog post. And nice post script, too.

Near Boston said...

Just want to say, much love to you for all the good you are doing out here. Do continue your good work.

Longtime viewer/supporter said...

You're still the best CS writer around. Such talent!

Anonymous said...

Just noticed, whatever happened to your Asian/Oriental visitors who used to leave so many comments?

Portland, OR said...

Really do enjoy your creative, well-crafted essays, English professor, creative writing instructor, CSB, or whatever you happen to be.

Anonymous said...

To Mark: try Acts 27:14.

Anonymous said...

Missing your great essays. Let's have another, Christian -