In reading the Scriptures in the light of Christian Science the earnest student is continuously impressed with the perfect consonance existing between the sacred writings and the exegesis of their spiritual import contained in our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. The harmonious correlation of these two witnesses to the love and wisdom of God leads the right-minded student to recognize clearly the hand of divinity in the preservation of the canonical writings and in the revelation of the "Key" which unlocks the obscured treasures of the Scriptures. In this light the narratives of the Bible are no longer valued by the student of its pages as mere historical records of transient mortal phenomena. They are preferentially accepted as instructive lessons of living truth, encouraging the student to a practical exercise of the same sincere faith and devotion to the right which enabled the central figures in these narratives to overcome many limitations imposed by erroneous education and practices. The substance of the principal incidents of sacred history is found by the Christian Scientist in the encouragement they offer to' overcome evil with good, rather than in the stimulation of speculative interest in phenomenal wonder-working.
An understanding of the true significance of these narratives leads the student of Christian Science to recognize and appreciate the truth of Mrs. Eddy's statement that "the prophets of old believed, but did not understand. They looked for something higher than the systems of their times; hence their foresight of Christ's coming, of the new dispensation of Truth" (Science and Health, p. 270). She goes on to show that true Christianity unites "all periods in the design of God" (p. 271). The chain of spiritual phenomena is recognized in Christian Science, as the inspired word of Life which caused Jesus of Nazareth to state to the unbelieving Jews that his true ego and individuality existed "before Abraham," and which also caused Paul to proclaim that this true idea of divinity is "the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever."
Conspicuous among the Old Testament narratives which delineate the operations of this Christ-mind, revealed to human consciousness, is the story of Joseph, the shepherd boy of Canaan, who finally became "ruler over all the land of Egypt," an interpreter of the phenomena of mortal mind. This story may be scientifically interpreted as typical of conditions and processes of thought which are common to every era of human activity; but a review of its material developments and aspects affords much encouragement to sincere seekers after truth, whose environment and experiences are analogous to the surroundings and career of Joseph. Narratives and parables of human interest were often the vehicles employed by the Master for conveying a lesson in truth, and this method of instruction is still well calculated to assist our processes of mental unfoldment. In the light of Christian Science such a review serves to illustrate the dominant fact in the Scriptural writings, — the inevitable triumph of good over the illusive negations of evil. In the story of Joseph that sure proof of God's omnipotence and omnipresence was made manifest through the unwavering faith, patient waiting, humility, and obedience of one man who was willing to make the best of what seemed the most adverse human conditions, and to prove his fitness to be made ruler over many things.
