Some think it unnecessary to study in order to understand and demonstrate the Principle and rule of Christian Science. They complain when told that Science and Health and the Bible must be made constant companions and the subject of all thought and meditation. They sometimes reply: "Why, if that is the only way of reaching heaven, they will be few who reach there." From the mortal standpoint these murmurings are not to be wondered at.
But "Progress is born of experience; it is the ripening of mortal man, that drops the mortal for the immortal." Science and Health, 40th ed., page 179. They who covet health, the-at-one-ment, the understanding of Principle, will count the cost and be willing to pay the price demanded. Consider the time and the efforts expended in acquiring education in what the world calls knowledge,—the hard study and close confinement that often defeat the hopes that have inspired them. Most of this knowledge has to be unlearned in order to gain the true understanding. All knowledge gained through beliefs of matter must be destroyed to make room for Intelligence, understanding of the Christ, Truth.
"New wine cannot be put into old bottles," neither can Christian Science be understood or demonstrated, while there is unwillingness to part with educated beliefs in matter. "If any one is for coming unto me and hates not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters,—further, also, even his own soul—he cannot be my disciple. And, whosoever is not bearing his cross, and coming after me, cannot be my disciple."
