One of the great failings of the human mind is its tendency to procrastinate. And nowhere, perhaps, is this tendency, at times, more noticeable than amongst Christian Scientists. Outside of Christian Science a certain amount of procrastination, and a very large amount, is deemed to be the better part of wisdom. The world is taught to acquiesce in the postponement of good and to regard any suggestion that anything but the most limited progress is attainable as something very like presumption. And so when the human mind is confronted with the absolute teachings of Christian Science it immediately begins to contrive a way whereby it can indulge its failings.
The beginner in the study of Christian Science would postpone the day when he shall go out and heal the sick until such time as he shall "have a better understanding," or until he shall have "made a demonstration" upon which he has set his hopes, or until his circumstances are different. He unconsciously almost sets limits to the extent to which he will apply his understanding of Truth, not so much from any lack of faith as from a belief that "the time has not yet come" for doing certain things. First he will "make his own demonstration," then, perhaps, he will "take a few cases," and then perhaps, later on, in the very indefinite future, when he has attained much spirituality he will "work over world conditions." For the present, he is willing to leave these things to "advanced Scientists," grateful, of course, that the work should be done, having no doubt that it is effective, but quite satisfied that nothing of the kind is as yet required of him.
Now the fact is, of course, that in such a series of declarations, and they are made every day, no trace of a real understanding of Christian Science is discernible. It is the truth that heals. The student of Christian Science has no more to do with the actual healing than has the student of mathematics with the righting of a wrong in a mathematical problem. Thus, in an often quoted passage in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," on pages 96 and 97 Mrs. Eddy writes: "During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check. They will aid in the ejection of error. They will maintain law and order, and cheerfully await the certainty of ultimate perfection."
