"FOR precept must be upon precept," wrote the prophet Isaiah in patriarchal days, and history repeats itself even in this enlightened twentieth century. To the people of Moses' time the ten commandments had been promulgated, obedience to which would have meant a speedy entrance into the land of peace and plenty, instead of those futile and fruitless years of wandering in the desert. Only through trials sore and tribulations many could a rebellious and stiff-necked people be taught the law of obedience; that only as their obduracy was overcome could they hope to go in and possess the promised land.
Though the lesson then taught was the continuous theme of patriarch and prophet, time blunted the sensibilities of the people, and again and again they went astray after "other gods." Then the gentle Master, though yielding nor jot nor tittle of the divine decalogue, clothed it anew in that sermon of sermons, which embraces and includes all that there is of Christianity in any age or clime. "Precept upon precept" the great Teacher brought home to his hearers the fundamental truths of that understanding or knowledge of God the Father which offers the boon of life eternal to those that keep His commandments. Throughout his years of ministry he iterated and reiterated the law of love, that love to God and to one's fellow man which is the fulfilling of the law. Patiently he taught and wrought, by hard sayings and simple parables, by works of cleansing and healing, fitting together precept and practice.
Centuries more rolled away, and once again to a people scrupulously observant of the letter of the Christ-teaching has come the vivifying spirit. "Line upon line" Mrs. Eddy has given us in Christian Science a practical exemplification of the divine precepts,—has given to the world anew the healing Truth of the era of primitive Christianity, offering in place of a far-away future heaven, which at best was but a problematic possibility, a present realization of the kingdom within, and with her ringing declaration, "All is Life, and there is no death" (Science and Health, p. 331), disarming forever the lurking fear that had so long barred the gateway to immortality.
