SOMETIMES the beginner in the study of Christian Science, although fully convinced of the truth of its teachings, feels at a loss as to the proper method of applying them. It may seem to him either that he does not know enough to begin this work, or that he does not understand how to make use of the little he knows. It is not the question of believing Christian Science, but of getting his belief upon a practical working basis. How, he asks, is he to go to work? What is he to do? How can he apply the spiritual truth of Christian Science to his every-day problems, most of which seem very material and to have very much to do with worldly matters?
Well, how, we may ask, does he apply what he knows regarding other things? How does he apply what he knows of mechanics, or chemistry, or music? How does he apply his knowledge of the multiplication table? By simply using that knowledge as occasion presents itself, does he not? There is nothing abstruse in the using of what one knows, or in relying upon what one steadfastly believes. If one discovers that he has been mistaken in any direction, he naturally adjusts his thought and conduct to accord with the discovered or ascertained truth. There is nothing strange about it except, perhaps, that he should have allowed himself to be deceived so long. Human experience presents notable instances of enlightened thought readily adopting a corrected view or standard, notwithstanding that the error was firmly established in universal belief. The student of Christian Science is apt in the beginning to create much of his own difficulty in looking beyond or outside of his own consciousness for the seat and source of his troubles, and he gains a more intelligent grasp of the situation as he finds that the corrective process, the working out of his salvation, lies wholly within himself.
One should be sure that he understands what Christian Science is, what its purpose, and what the need that has called it forth to the aid of mankind. As its name implies, Christian Science is the demonstrable knowledge of Christ, not as a person, but as a divine Principle, as the saving Truth, the Redeemer and "great Physician" of mankind. For the lack of this knowledge, for the lack of knowing what Jesus knew, mankind have submitted to the despotism of a supposed evil power; and for the lack of this knowing, sin, disease, and death, with their attendant miseries, appear in human experience today. Christian Science is the supply of this need. It is that knowledge of the truth which the Master foresaw would emancipate humanity. It is the freedom of knowing God, and it is the knowledge of God. Christian Science, then, means knowing, and its operation or application lies in knowing—knowing the whole truth about God, knowing the infinity, the all-power and all-presence of good. The student of Christian Science is learning to know a little of this truth, and what he knows is ever applying itself to the problems before him.
