  An Illustrated Poem This poem and its illustrations are as hopelessly origi- nal as is “Science and Health with Key to the Scrip- tures.” When the latter was first issued, critics declared [1] that it was incorrect, contradictory, unscientific, unchris- tian; but those human opinions had not one feather's weight in the scales of God. The fact remains, that the textbook of Christian Science is transforming the [5] universe. “Christ and Christmas” voices Christian Science through song and object-lesson. In two weeks from the date of its publication in December, 1893, letters extoll- ing it were pouring in from artists and poets. A mother [10] wrote, “Looking at the pictures in your wonderful book has healed my child.” Knowing that this book would produce a stir, I sought the judgment of sound critics familiar with the works of masters in France and Italy. From them came such [15] replies as the following: “The illustrations of your poem are truly a work of art, and the artist seems quite familiar with delineations from the old masters.” I am delighted to find “Christ and Christmas” in accord with the ancient and most distinguished artists. [20] The Christian Science Journal gives no uncertain dec- laration concerning the spirit and mission of “Christ and Christmas.” I aimed to reproduce, with reverent touch, the modest glory of divine Science. Not by aid of foreign device [25] or environment could I copy art,—never having seen the painter's masterpieces; but the art of Christian Science, with true hue and character of the living God, is akin to its Science: and Science and Health gives scopes and shades to the shadows of divinity, thus im- [30] parting to humanity the true sense of meekness and might. One incident serves to illustrate the simple nature of [1] art. I insisted upon placing the serpent behind the woman in the picture “Seeking and Finding.” My artist at the easel objected, as he often did, to my sense of Soul's [5] expression through the brush; but, as usual, he finally yielded. A few days afterward, the following from Roth- erham's translation of the New Testament was handed to me,—I had never before seen it: “And the serpent cast out of his mouth, behind the woman, water as a [10] river, that he might cause her to be river-borne.” Neither material finesse, standpoint, nor perspective guides the infinite Mind and spiritual vision that should, does, guide His children. One great master clearly delineates Christ's appear- [15] ing in the flesh, and his healing power, as clad not in soft raiment or gorgeous apparel; and when forced out of its proper channel, as living feebly, in kings' courts. This master's thought presents a sketch of Christian- ity's state, in the early part of the Christian era, as [20] homelessness in a wilderness. But in due time Chris- tianity entered into synagogues, and, as St. Mark writes, it has rich possession here, with houses and lands. In Genesis we read that God gave man do- minion over all things; and this assurance is followed [25] by Jesus' declaration, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth,” and by his promise that the Christlike shall finally sit down at the right hand of the Father. |
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