"I Spend hours each day studying, and yet I seem to make no progress," wrote one student to another regarding her study of Christian Science. The one who received the letter had had the same sense regarding her own advancement, but her thought had recently been corrected by a very simple incident. Walking in the woods on a still, fall day beside a stream, it was observed for some time that as the waters were apparently not moving at all, it was impossible to tell which way the stream was flowing. This apparent stillness continued for a very considerable distance; but after a long way some rough rocks came into the view of the observer in the bed of the stream. Then the movement of the water became perceptible, and the direction of its flow quite noticeable as the stream hastened, with new life and vigor, to mount the rocks and rush onward. Our experience in Christian Science is analogous. The calm, quiet times of study and thought are preparing us to mount the rocks and overcome any obstacles that may arise; and we can but rejoice in the opportunity to progress quietly in the smooth places, as well as to proceed over the roughnesses.
Sometimes these rocks are small, hardly perceptible. A Christian Science student recently rejoiced in observing that a tiny one failed to impede her progress as formerly. Another member of the family had spoken quickly in criticism of this student. Pausing before replying, the student was enabled a moment later to speak the gentle word that, before beginning the study of Christian Science, would have been impossible; rather would quick temper and an impatient reply have seemed justifiable. Happy experiences such as these are the fruits of the daily study and demonstration of love as taught in the books written by Mrs. Eddy.
The writer was at one time working under difficult circumstances in a large office. Christian Science was being applied every step of the way, with a large measure of success in the overcoming of difficulties, to the apparent daily discomfiture and disapproval of a coworker who had been a medical student, and who had become opposed to Christian Science as she had conceived it to be. At last, one afternoon, considerable discord and inharmony were manifested, and the Christian Science student went to her home in the evening discouraged by a sense of failure. Sitting down quietly in her room and asking for guidance, she opened the Bible at the eighth chapter of Ezekiel, where her eyes fell on the words in the third verse,—"where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy." Quickly the student saw that that which "provoketh to jealousy" is only an image or mental picture of jealousy, having no power, because it is but a false belief. With great joy and gratitude the next words were read: "And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there." Even there, right where the "image of jealousy" that provoketh seemed to be, was "the glory of the God of Israel," the power of Truth and Love, which is the only power there is. The next morning the student reached her desk in an attitude of great love and peace to find the same attitude reflected in her associate, who lovingly acknowledged an error and became a sincere and close friend of the Christian Scientist. Experiences of this kind seem formidable "rocks," but they uplift the worker to an inexpressible degree of joy, inspiring greater activity and a sincere desire to grow.
