Cleansing Waters

HELEN FRIEND–ROBINSON. January 4, 1913

The faithful Christian Scientist who continually prays with the psalmist: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me," has opened the floodgates of heaven, through which pours out an inexhaustible and never-failing stream of love; the love that today as of yore "healeth all thy diseases" as well as "forgiveth all thine iniquities." Bathing in these cleansing waters, through the washing of regeneration, he daily proves for himself that true cleanliness is not only next to godliness, but is godliness. He is not only trying to wash himself spiritually clean, but he is also gently leading others to this baptismal font, as he goes on his way rejoicing in these twofold blessings.

Because of the dust and heat of the eastern countries, it was customary in ancient times to wash the hands before and after each meal; it was also the custom for a traveler to wash the feet upon entering a house as guest, not only out of respect to his host but as a means of refreshing himself as well. Being fully aware of these customs, it is not to be wondered at that the Pharisee who invited Jesus to dine with him (as related in the gospel of St. Luke) marveled because his exalted guest had ignored these requirements and had sat down to dinner without first having performed the customary ablutions. It is possible that the Master purposely neglected this ceremony, in order that he might teach the Pharisees a needed lesson, for he pointedly rebuked them by saying: "Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness." Because he knew they had retained but the outward symbol of cleanliness, while they had utterly disregarded the inner spiritual purification and the love of God which were the signs of true fellowship, or "God with us," demanded of them by the Christ, the Master's words, "These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone," constituted a wholesome and merited rebuke which should have silenced forever all pharisaical forms and practises.

Prior to learning the way in Christian Science, most students have run the gamut of hygienic methods, in their futile efforts to find health of body and peace of mind. In fact the life of the average person in the old regime has been so dominated by material theories that he has welcomed almost any change from this bondage. When through much tribulation he finally turns to Christian Science and finds health and happiness, after all other means have failed, he then learns that real health is spiritual and that all the old health theories profit him nothing. He now finds that God, whom he has been ignorantly worshiping, is an ever–present help in all his needs, mental, moral, and physical.

This influx of divine power, as revealed through Christian Science, which brings spiritual regeneration in conjunction with the physical healing, comes so suddenly and with such overwhelming power to some of us, that at first we almost lose our breath in wonder; we feel so uplifted that for a time we may attempt to ride the waves of public opinion by ignoring ordinary means and usages altogether. The Pharisees followed one extreme, and the neophyte in this Science is apt to follow the other; but neither of these extremes is taught or advocated in Christian Science, and the student should watch carefully that he does not become a channel to bring reproach upon the cause which he is beginning to love so dearly.

As he advances, he should not only seek but strive for that spiritual poise which is so necessary while we are waiting according to St. Paul for "the redemption of our body." During this transitional period he will meet with many a "Suffer it to be so now," but revolting at or chafing against what at first seem to be arbitrary laws is not conducive to that peace "as a river" of which Isaiah writes, and which he is striving to attain. The sooner he falls in line with customary and proper requirements, the quicker will he regain his mental equilibrium and become a helpful factor in the larger issues in the field of Christian Science work.

Although Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for making clean merely the outside of the cup and platter, he did not imply that they should not wash both sides of these vessels. His precepts about taking no thought for the body meant that no anxious or troubled thought should be allowed to take precedence over one's spiritual unfoldment. Mrs. Eddy follows these same common-sense rules when she says: "We need a clean body and a clean mind,—a body rendered pure by [divine] Mind as well as washed by water" (Science and Health, p. 383). The student who has received divine healing from this great fountain of Love cannot long remain upon the borders of doubt or inactivity. As soon as he discovers that his life is tributary to God, the source of all good, he cannot help expressing spontaneously his desire for a "clean heart" and the renewal of a "right spirit" within.

Instead of straining at gnats and swallowing camels, the wise student soon finds the better way, and sings and rejoices continually in his new-found fellowship with Christ, because he is privileged in this age, through the understanding given in Christian Science, to do those things which the Master taught his followers to do, and to leave undone those things which he enjoined them not to do. Gradually cleansing his thought in these waters of divine Love, he sees clearly that the outer symbols should keep pace with the inner spiritual regeneration, in order to produce a harmonious whole, or holy consciousness; and vice versa.

One of our familiar hymns says, "Make channels for the streams of love" (Hymnal, p. 89). In the proportion that each student reflects the clean heart and right spirit of good, will he be a channel for the cleansing waters of divine Love to flow out and heal and bless others. It rests with each one to see that he removes every obstacle in his own consciousness which would obstruct this outpouring of good. Material methods of healing come and go, but these waters should flow on until all humanity has bathed in this cleansing stream. Love for God and man is the only true incentive through which one may lovingly draw others to this baptismal font. Once the flood-gates are opened to the awakening sense of those whom we wish to bless, and they have caught even a glimpse of God's imperishable glory as the infinite All of existence, we may rejoice in the fact that no lesser healing power will ever again satisfy the awakened desire for good.

Love is indeed, as Mrs. Eddy says, "impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals" (Science and Health, p. 13); it is the living fount which is ever inviting us to come to its waters and be healed. Sooner or later all humanity will appreciate the blessed privilege of this loving call, and will come gladly to these cleansing waters and be washed "whiter than snow." Lovingly and patiently we should one and all work on, not only for our own redemption, but in the full assurance of the ultimate salvation of all mankind.