Since Christian Science deals with all the vital questions that concern mankind, it is important that its representatives should seek to gain a comprehensive knowledge of the exact meaning of words which stand pre-eminently for metaphysical ideas, as used in Christian Science. If words are inadequate to the expression of ordinary thought, with how much more care should we select words which are to express spiritual ideas, and acquaint ourselves with their origin and derivation.
This applies to the term tribulation, the meaning of which the young student in Christian Science may come to know at the outset of his new life, although its experience is the very thing he expected to be free from when he accepted this teaching. He has made the mistake of anticipating an immediate overcoming of all the ills that flesh is heir to.
Christian Science teaches that evil, which manifests itself as sin, sickness, and death, is not a reality; but this is no reason for the beginner to think that he is going to be at once translated from earth to heaven by simply declaring against such ill conditions; he will have to realize perfection through work, just as he gains mastery in any other endeavor.
