Among the many inspiring statements that may be found in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, perhaps there is none more calculated to restore hope and courage to the fainting heart than the one to be found on page 74, which reads, "In Christian Science there is never a retrograde step, never a return to positions outgrown."
This statement presupposes of necessity that before there can be a retrograde step there must first have been a forward movement, a reaching out to and an attaining of a position in advance of that previously taken. In Christian Science this is a process that is continually taking place—the giving up of the old for new and better beliefs, the forward stride that bears us away from old, discouraging conditions.
Often swiftly upon an attaining comes the attempt of error to make us believe that what we have accomplished is but temporary, and that, after all our effort, we may slip back into the condition from which we have been extricated. Mortal mind labels this the "law of reversal," the "law of reaction;" but this so-called law; which is the opposite of God's law of continuous and perpetual harmonious action, can have no effect if we recognize it as merely part of error's counterfeit, material creation. Our Leader's statement above quoted clearly and definitely establishes the mistaken status of this spurious law.
