In studying the Bible, with all its wealth of symbolism, parable, and metaphor, it is well to bear in mind Mrs. Eddy's statement, "Spiritual teaching must always be by symbols" (Science and Health, p. 575), the genuine significance of many of these symbols being clearly brought to light in the chapter entitled Glossary in the Christian Science text-book. Spiritual intuition, combined with persistent prayer and study, enabled the author to rediscover the spiritual beauty and potency which lay concealed behind these metaphors and symbols. Taking as an instance the frequent references to "oil" in the Bible, one sees with regret how its spiritual meaning became so obscured as to cause ordinary oil to be adopted into the ritual of religion on account of its supposedly healing or sanctifying properties, thus reducing it to the level of a mere religious superstition. Turning from this erroneous, material interpretation of oil, one is refreshed by finding it defined in the Glossary as "consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration" (Science and Health, p. 592).
It goes without saying that every student of Christian Science has the deepest need of this heavenly anointing, for how else can the seeming load of sin and sickness be dissolved, and the benedictions of God reach humanity? As understood in Christian Science, oil symbolizes a state of human consciousness which is purged from the flesh, and through which it is possible for divine Mind to find clear and continuous expression, one through which the "spirit of Truth" can be revealed and demonstrated.
Taking these qualities singly, one finds them to be transitional, mediating links with divine Mind. Does not "consecration" of thought and deed draw the Christian Scientist nearer and nearer to the source of inspiration? With increasing consecration to spiritual matters there is increasing at-one-ment with Life, Truth, and Love, with all the joys of spirituality. Again, true "charity" banishes sloth, and begets a divinely inspired and sustained activity, which is destined to make universally apparent the "second coming" of the Messiah and the establishment of the kingdom of heaven upon earth. Through "gentleness" and "prayer," the callousness of unbelief, the apathy of indifference, the resignation to sin and suffering, yield to the joys of a larger faith, compassion, and expectation of good. Prayer is the only link with God, of whom David writes, "Thy gentleness hath made me great." Without this mediating link of prayer, there is no at-one-ment, no access to those boundless resources of divine Mind which have been proved available to those who know how to seek them. The last quality enumerated, that of "heavenly inspiration," counteracts by its very nature every attempt of evil to obscure one's pathway, and sheds upon it abundance of spiritual light and counsel.
