At the beginning of each year thoughtful people instinctively review the experiences of the one just closed, and make a mental estimate of their gains and losses. From the Christian Science view-point both of these are important, and our revered Leader makes this clear when she speaks of the "loss of the pleasures and pains and pride of life: gain of its sweet concord, the courage of honest convictions, and final obedience to spiritual law" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 116). All students of our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, are aware that their progress is in large measure dependent upon their faithful study of the Lesson-Sermon, the Christianizing influence of which is rapidly extending over the whole world and unifying all thought respecting God and man's relation to Him. No one can deny that the character of men and nations is determined to a large extent by their concepts of God and His law, therefore it were well to respond to the sage's counsel, "Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace."
As the Bible is studied in the light thrown upon it by Science and Health, we see that the human problem has been the same in all ages, the sin, sorrow, and death of mortal experience resulting from ignorance of divine Truth and the life-giving power of spiritual understanding. Here it should be remembered that wrong concepts of God and man, which claim to be true, have but added to the burden of human misery, and this has been seen by many who yet failed to see that the remedy must come from a scientific interpretation of the Scriptures, which in turn would interpret all human experience, individual and collective.
As Mrs. Eddy wisely counsels us to "study thoroughly the letter" of Science, as well as to "imbibe the spirit" (Science and Health, p. 495), the beginner should familiarize himself with the instructions to "students of the Lessons," also with the "explanatory note," on pages two and four of The Christian Science Quarterly. It may also help him to know that there are in all twenty-six subjects considered, these having been given by our Leader when the Lesson-Sermon was introduced. These topics, which cover practically the whole groundwork of theology, are repeated twice in each year, and students would find it very helpful to acquaint themselves with the order in which these fundamental doctrines of Christianity follow each other, which can be easily done by consulting the table of contents at the beginning of each Quarterly. Every vital doctrine of Christian faith is compassed by these topics, and those who study them prayerfully and intelligently go deeply into the Bible, that treasure-house of spiritual lore, guided by the search-light of Truth.
