Christian Science is readily understood by the sincere and unbiased student, and as readily practiced by him after the understanding has been obtained. As its name implies, Christian Science is the Science of Christianity, the Science which inspired the entire ministry of Christ Jesus, including all his wonderful words and all his wonderful works. It is the Science of real being, making known, the nature of God, the creator, and of His creation, including individual man. It reveals the laws of God, those spiritual laws which govern the entire spiritual universe. "The term Science, properly understood," writes Mrs. Eddy on page 128 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "refers only to the laws of God and to His government of the universe, inclusive of man."
On the knowledge of God, of His creation, and of His laws depends the practice of Christian Science. Thus, in Christian Science practice spiritual understanding is basic, fundamental. This being so, faith may be regarded as dependent upon understanding. The student first gains a knowledge of the truth; and then, after he has proved his understanding by demonstrating it in the overcoming of erroneous or false beliefs, his faith in the truth is established. But while faith may in this way be regarded as secondary to spiritual understanding, it is nevertheless essential in the work of healing, and also in promoting further understanding.
Very often the study of Christian Science is taken up by the sick with the object of their being healed. They come to the study of it with the earnest desire to learn, and with the prayer in their hearts that God will reveal Himself and His laws to them. That is the right method of approach. And thousands who have come to Christian Science in this way have found the "pearl of great price," for which they had long been searching, and have been healed, sometimes of disease which had baffled the efforts of modern medical science, sometimes of sin which had frustrated all their attempts after purification, sometimes of sorrow, loss, or lack.
