To the consecrated student of Christian Science there is no subject which demands more earnest study, and more prayerful consideration as to its meaning and method of demonstration, than does the Christian Science treatment. As with all other important questions, there must be an understanding of its fundamental premise, and of the rules whereby such premise may be utilized and proved equal to the solution of each problem presented.
In the first place, a Christian Science treatment always has a definite end in view; it has something to accomplish. It is for the purpose of proving in a specific instance the power of God, good, to annul the belief in some form of suppositional evil; that is, to demonstrate the reality of Spirit and spiritual creation, and the consequent unreality of matter and its claim to fleshly existence. It is to bring to human consciousness a clearer glimpse of the goodness of God and of His wonderful care of all His children. It is to prove that here and now it can be demonstrated that divine Love is always at hand to deliver from all the ills "that flesh is heir to." It is to bring to the door of some weary wanderer the glad word of possible redemption from all that is torturing and tormenting. Indeed, it is to unfold right here a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven, and thus to diminish, in some degree, the claim of evil in a wicked world by unfolding the marvelous possibility of good, understood and demonstrated.
Because it is Christian, it must embrace the qualities which are in and of the Christ, and can therefore never be separated from that which is loving and holy, from all that is pure and true. It cannot contain within it anything sordid or selfish, or in any wise unlike the Christ-ideal. Since it is scientific, it must express intelligence and wisdom, power and perfection; and will be devoid of all weakness, ignorance, and insincerity. Indeed, to be Christianly scientific it must carry with it the godly elements of perfection and success.
