IT is wholesome to inquire from time to time whether we are really studying Christian Science. On page 462 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy states, "Whoever would demonstrate the healing of Christian Science must abide strictly by its rules, heed every statement, and advance from the rudiments laid down." On page 559 of the same work she says: "Read this book from beginning to end. Study it, ponder it." In the latter passage are three very definite, clear-cut statements,—three very important rudiments for the intelligent study of Christian Science.
Many persons who have thought themselves faithful students of Christian Science, if confronted with the question, Have you ever read Science and Health from beginning to end? would answer somewhat after this fashion: Yes! That is, I have never actually read it straight through; but I have skipped around in it, and I am sure I have read it all many times in that way. As a matter of fact, no one who has read Science and Health by "skipping around" can ever be quite sure that he has read all of it. The only way to read it from beginning to end is to read it from the beginning to the end.
Christian Science is before all else orderly, since it is Science. To one whose mentality has been accustomed to loose, disordered habits of thought, the constant insistence on study may be somewhat terrifying, if, indeed, that one be awake enough to realize that he cannot study because he does not know how to study. Such a dreamer will go along wondering vaguely why some one else seems to "get" Christian Science, when he does not. Earnest prayer to God about this, as about any other problem, will result in definite answers as to how to study. There are many exercises which the student may set for himself in order to make sure that he is achieving something orderly and systematic along this line. He who feels that he has most to overcome will find ways to insure his progress.
