It is well known that even a slight knowledge of Christian Science arouses an intelligent interest in and love for the Bible. The growing interest the student feels in this marvelous Book through the light thrown upon it by the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mrs. Eddy, in conjunction with the Lesson-Sermons in The Christian Science Quarterly, leads him to feel that the time he has at his disposal is not at all commensurate with his desires. The question then arises how best to avail himself of the time he has at his command.
No one honestly seeking spiritual understanding will make the mistake of turning to personality for guidance. Many are the directions which come to him from enthusiastic students, but he will not be led to forget that this, as well as other problems, is a matter of individual growth. Every sincere student of Christian Science must, of course, with earnest, prayerful thought, consider how to make the best use of his study hours. To do this he may sometimes ask himself a few questions. What does he really desire to accomplish by this study? Is the knowledge gained to be used solely for himself, or is it his desire to share it with others? In the acquirement of a higher viewpoint does he honestly desire God alone to be glorified?
With a well defined aim or motive, the student cannot mistake the mission of this hour. He will not be led unawares to fill his thought with quotations and, talking wisely, be so deceived as to forget that works should precede words. This lesson is emphasized in the life of our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy. It is recorded in Matthew that Jesus healed "all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy," before he expounded to them his doctrine—the Sermon on the Mount. This does not mean that wise and tender words are not always in order, but it does mean that the student's desire must ever be to learn how to recognize and express, minute by minute every hour of the day, the presence and power of divine Love. Then and only then can he feel that his aim is really a worthy one, and that his study time has been well spent. In this consecration to the service of the Father, he will joyfully find that the influence of the time of study extends itself not only over the entire day but throughout eternity.
