The writer of Ecclesiastes asserts, "Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment." May we not assume that this commandment has been epitomized for us by our master Teacher and Way-shower in his Sermon on the Mount in the words, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"?
Many persons freely admit that it is a desirable and a helpful thing to be familiar with the teachings of the Bible, particularly with the life and mission of Christ Jesus; but ask them individually why they have made so little study of this great Book, and they may reply that they have never had time to study it, enumerating many excuses.
What a hard taskmaster, indeed, time seems to be for those who bow down under its rod! Christian Scientists are most grateful to have been shown that observance of Jesus' precept, quoted above, enables them to discern "both time and judgment." No day is so filled with human affairs but that the Christian Scientist knows he may seek first the right thinking needful for harmonious activity, through study of the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly and in doing his mental work, as indicated in Article VIII, Sections 1, 4, and 6, of the Manual of The Mother Church, by Mary Baker Eddy. He knows that in proportion to the consecrated thoroughness with which this is done is he enabled to discern what may rightly be permitted to occupy his time, and what may best be resolutely shut out.
