The Bible abounds in promises of joy, peace, and prosperity, and of complete protection from all evil. The Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, likewise overflows with encouragement, showing that evil of any description must not be considered necessary, unavoidable, or incurable, because it has been proved to have no reality. And when the belief in its actuality gives place to the understanding of the ever-presence of infinite good, the sense of evil will be unknown.
Sincere seekers who in their extremity turn to Christian Science for help at once find such a new and beautiful concept of God that blank despair gives place to hope; and with the lifting of the burden of hopelessness comes a new enthusiasm. As the Scriptures and our Leader's writings are searched, they disclose indisputable Science, and awaken such glorious expectation of good that often it is forgotten that these blessings must be earned through gaining spiritual understanding. It will be found that these vital statements point out the conditions on which the promises can be realized. And it is neither helpful nor productive of good results to magnify the promises and minimize, or even carefully avoid to mention, the exacting requirements.
Christ Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free;" but this was prefaced by the condition, "If ye continue in my word." In the Beatitudes the blessedness is promised to those who have first humbled themselves, purified themselves, acted mercifully, made peace, or in some other way made active effort to demonstrate Godlike qualities and eschew human weaknesses. Mrs. Eddy repeatedly speaks of the demands made on us which must be met before we can enjoy the fruit of obedience. In one of her many emphatic statements in Science and Health she says (p. 462), "Whoever would demonstrate the healing of Christian Science must abide strictly by its rules, heed every statement, and advance from the rudiments laid down."
