"What can you teach me of Christian Science?" These words fell from the lips of a man who through the application of this Science radiates gentleness, modesty, and peace. The beautiful simplicity of the words, the absence of all pride of opinion, coming from one whose study of and interest in this subject has extended over many years, offers much food for thought; especially as they were propounded to one who might properly be classified as a beginner.
So often we find ourselves in the attitude of the pedagogue. Our Leader says, "The letter of Science plentifully reaches humanity today, but its spirit comes only in small degrees" (Science and Health, p. 113). Then, there is that negative condition of thought, or fear, concern, and anxiety for the cause, which so many of us entertain and which prompts an undue alertness to rebuke the young Scientist whose readiness, spontaneity, and vigorous stroke of enthusiasm stimulate us to action and bid us to cease resting on the oars of erudition.
Giving freely of our thought and experience is commendable, but we should guard against doing this in any spirit of self-righteousness, egotism, or didacticism. It is not erudition or the pride of learning that wins, but the culture of Spirit; not position or the pride of power which indicate the progress and usefulness of a Christian Scientist, but the spirit of simplicity, the spirit of humility, the spirit of the "little child," so beautifully expressed in these lines of Mrs. Eddy: "Today, though rejoicing in some progress, she still finds herself a willing disciple at the heavenly gate, waiting for the Mind of Christ" (Science and Health, Pref., p. ix).—
