IT makes little difference how long or how short a period of time one may have been interested in this new-old religion of divine Love, Christian Science, as taught and demonstrated by Christ Jesus, and discovered again and founded in our day by our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy. To the beginner and the advanced student alike, apply the all-important questions: How much of Truth am I putting into practice? Am I proving, by holding steadfastly to the understanding of the omniactivity of Mind, God, that divine Love is really demonstrable in the removing of seeming obstacles, in healing want and woe, in destroying sin? Or am I going along from day to day with a self-satisfied feeling that I have already gained a sufficient understanding of Science to enable me to cope with the many and varied problems which may present themselves, without, perhaps, a thought for the brother who may be wondering if I have a really worth-while religion?
Unless we are making the understanding we have gained of practical value in everyday life,—unless we are actually applying our understanding of the omnipotence of divine Principle to the so-called problems that arise on our mental horizons,— we are indeed doing little or nothing in the way of proving that God, intelligent good, is the only power, the only presence, and therefore always available to meet every need of mankind. And it is only reasonable to conclude that unless the student is constantly active in his daily mental work, and in his study of the Bible, the writings of Mrs. Eddy, and other authorized Christian Science literature, he is not mentally equipped to face the enemies of mortal sense which would try to occupy the field to the exclusion of the spiritual facts of being. On page 19 of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy lovingly writes: "Those who cannot demonstrate, at least in part, the divine Principle of the teachings and practice of our Master have no part in God. If living in disobedience to Him, we ought to feel no security, although God is good."
Sometimes when the student of Christian Science gets his first glimpse of the healing Christ, he is so uplifted in thought that he is tempted to believe the arguments of so-called mortal mind to the effect that, since he has at last reached the understanding of Life as God, good, there is nothing more for him to accomplish, at least for the present, except just to rest in the true facts of existence which he has acquired ; and, if not mentally awake, he will find himself yielding to the suggestion that he can now proceed successfully with his daily activities without any further serious consideration of the need for faithful continuation of his study of the great truths of Christian Science, which alone will make him successful in every right line of work he may pursue.
