WHEN beginning to read the text-book of Christian Science, many doubtless find some of the statements acceptable because of what has been learned in their own so-called life experiences, eliciting the comment, "I know that is so," or "I. have found this to be true." At first it may be well to read the book through, searching for these points of contact, like pearls, and stringing them together securely in thought, for they are veritably pearls of "great price" for which, seen in their true value, one should be willing to give up all the merely human opinions that he has entertained. In fact this is precisely what he is called upon to do, for these pearls are often imbedded in a context which seems to contradict much former teaching, and the old beliefs or the new idea must go.
At this parting of the ways it may be well to consider a few points in order to give ourselves, and every man, "a reason of the hope" that is in us. In the first place, how were we taught, in our study of literature, to approach the work of Shakespeare, Browning, or any serious thinker? We were instructed to put aside any quibblings about the peculiar text or construction and try to come into sympathy with the author's view-point,—try to understand the meaning quite apart from the so-called literary form which is only the outer garment of an idea, and to make an effort to appreciate the significance of the writing, regardless of personal likes or dislikes. We entertained great respect for these authors and their works, were convinced that the interpretation of their messages was eminently worth while, and we had a lively desire to learn what they had to teach us as being superior to what we already knew. Any one bringing this same attitude toward the reading of Science and Health will be richly rewarded.
Again, in considering the statements which run in diametric opposition to what has formerly been believed, it is well to face one's self with the pertinent query, "What did those old opinions ever do for me? Did they not lead me into the mistakes, suffering, failure, and discord from which I turn to Christian Science for deliverance? Is it not reasonable to suppose that the thing which corrects any wrong must be unlike the wrong, — must in fact be its direct opposite? Is not this very counteraction the most encouraging sign that the leaching of Science and Health is really the correct remedy for all my ills?"
