Few people fail to plan for a reasonable amount of physical nourishment and rest. In addition, the Christian Scientist needs to allow for "times of refreshing . . . from the presence of the Lord." It happens that, at times, students of Science feel themselves mentally listless, adrift in a sea of suggestion, and unable to account for this undesired mental state. In such a quandary, they might ask themselves these questions: How much regular time am I giving to the study of Christian Science? Am I making full use of its teachings? The flurried reply of mortal mind may be that daily activities—business, domestic, recreational—leave but little time for regular study or spiritual thinking, that which ranks first in spiritual importance being given last consideration in the day's planning. In other cases, there may be a theoretical desire for study, but too little determination in providing for it.
Daily life seems so precipitate, its demands so clamorous, the evidence of the physical senses so pressing, that one needs to be spiritually strong if one is to make headway against the currents of materiality. If the student of this Science consents to be robbed of his daily quota of prayerful study and refreshing communion with the Science of being, he presently finds himself losing in inspiration and poise, breadth of outlook, serenity, dominion, multiplied fruitage. He forgets the import of the words, "Give us this day our daily bread," and their spiritual interpretation. The deepest consecration and most efficient service to our Cause spring from individual spiritual growth. Under the law that the greater controls the lesser, the requisite time for spiritual study will be found as the desire for it is quickened and respected. Some passage read in the early morning is apt to come to our thought during the day. The words may not consciously have been memorized, but they prove to be just the right ones for the occasion. Demonstration, then, is the fruit of this study.
One phase of suggestion is that we do not gain as much now as we formerly did from our study of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. The argument is that we almost know it by heart. Yes, but are its precepts always in our hearts? Familiar with the words we may be, but until their profound meaning and imperative behests have so leavened our consciousness as to enable us to demonstrate complete spirituality and dominion we cannot afford to curtail our study of this immortal work. Nor can we dispense with an ever deeper sense of our Master's ministry gained through a more intimate study of his words and works.
