HAVE not many plaintively lamented a lack of spiritual unfoldment by declaring, "I am not making the progress in Christian Science which I should;" and have they not accepted the statement as one of fact, which cannot be changed? But no error can persist when it has been uncovered and denied, and when the truth has been affirmed. So, instead of resignedly accepting the situation, one should approach it as an opportunity to put into practice the truth already learned in Christian Science, realizing that there is no such thing as an unsolvable problem. The proof that the problem is being worked correctly will be apparent in the progress which one will find himself making.
Now, progress means a moving or going forward. Moving or going necessitates activity. Moving or going forward necessitates activity in the right direction. Continuous progress, therefore, requires unceasing right activity. The desire to progress in Christian Science is laudable; for it means the desire to go forward from the situation in which Christian Science finds one—heavy-laden as he may be with sin, or sickness, or worry, or sorrow, or theological doubt—to the joyous realization that there is a perfect God, and that man is made in His image and likeness. Progress in Christian Science may be likened to going forward from the valley of materiality to the mount of spiritual understanding.
As one becomes alert to the desire to progress out of the valley of materiality, with its attendant evils, he should not stifle that desire, but should frankly acknowledge it and work toward its fulfillment as rapidly as possible, remembering the loving counsel of our revered Leader, Mrs. Eddy, in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 117), where she says: "The neophyte is inclined to be too fast or too slow: he works somewhat in the dark; and, sometimes out of season, he would replenish his lamp at the midnight hour and borrow oil of the more provident watcher. God is the fountain of light, and He illumines one's way when one is obedient. The disobedient make their moves before God makes His, or make them too late to follow Him. Be sure that God directs your way; then, hasten to follow under every circumstance."
