The student of Christian Science is, in the very nature of things, introspective. An important part of his work is to see whence thoughts come and whither they lead. One dictionary gives the definition of the verb introspect as, "To . . . examine scientifically and critically the contents of the consciousness." The word scientific is defined as, "Having exact knowledge or perception." Now when it is perceived how clearly Christian Science explains God, and how unmistakable is the character of God's image and likeness as portrayed by Mrs. Eddy on pages 336 and 475 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," it will be conceded that introspection enables one to distinguish between thoughts of God reflected by man, and the chaff of temporal and random conjecture which has no scientific basis, however hoary with time.
We have been informed that too much introspection is apt to make one morbid, but this was said by those who mistook the effects of the carnal mind for the truth about man. Contrariwise we learn in the Bible and Science and Health that if aught appears which obviously is not of God, it has no part in man, and is to be rejected though not feared. Therefore introspection properly understood can but propel heavenward, and is one of the first essentials if we would take firm root in Truth. It can never cause morbidity; for it will lay bare the line of demarcation between the true and the false, thus making practical the elimination of that which bears no relationship to the divine, and establishing in deed and truth man as the perfect expression of the perfect creator.
The sequel to "taking root downward" is "bearing fruit upward,"— and how the honest student yearns to be fruitful. How many have said, "O that I might be a twig bearing fruit, and that our branch of The Mother Church might yield abundance?" How many grapple with self-love, pride, and egotism, and wonder why the battle is long! It is presently discovered that it is no more possible to state exactly when one first merits the designation "Christian Scientist" than it is to calculate the moment when an acorn first becomes an oak tree. What happens during the process? It is certain that nothing is added to the acorn by which it may become an oak. No possibilities, no capacities which were not always inherent, no opportunities, are added periodically, as is often the case with the civil servant. All that is possessed, is possessed always. On page 520 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says, "The plant grows, not because of seed or soil, but because growth is the eternal mandate of Mind."
