Earnestly exhorting the Thessalonians to watchfulness, brotherliness, and patience one with another, Paul counsels, in words that ring with commanding power, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." Mary Baker Eddy in splendid confirmation of this statement writes: "Watch, and pray daily that evil suggestions, in whatever guise, take no root in your thought nor bear fruit. Ofttimes examine yourselves, and see if there be found anywhere a deterrent of Truth and Love, and 'hold fast that which is good'" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, pp. 128, 129). In these statements is found an abiding foundation for practicing and proving.
To "prove all things" is to test all things from the standpoint of Truth. If a thing is true or actual, it is good, hence real and enduring. To this fact we can hold fast. If, contrariwise, a thing is false and misleading, it is not good, hence is unreal and temporary. From this we can and should turn away. On this basis one may handle every seemingly discordant condition, by whatever name it may be called, and prove its nothingness. This is the practice of a firm faith in God, good, alone as supreme, all the time, everywhere.
Sometimes beginners in the study of Christian Science become joyously absorbed in the letter of its teachings, quoting freely, and loving to talk about Truth and the wonder of its promises. When, however, there comes a testing time and human problems seem perplexing, they are apt to feel bewildered, since the application of the letter alone does not always meet the need. Right here is an important point in their progress, because, if earnest and sincere in seeking Truth and its highest demonstration, they will recall that the Master urged the actual knowing of the truth as the road to freedom. Or they may turn to page 241 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy and read that "the error of the ages is preaching without practice." This will surely arouse them to perceive the imperative need of complete surrender of belief in a material selfhood, that the spirit of Truth may actually take possession of individual consciousness and perform its work of redemption and healing, as the Christ has always done. Jesus plainly told his disciples to know the truth, and to prove its power through the faithful, persistent practice of what they knew of its ever-presence and uninterrupted activity.
