"I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me." This remarkable epitome, which includes the first of the Ten Commandments as recorded in the twentieth chapter of Exodus, is the result of God's spiritual revelation to Moses, the renowned Hebrew leader. The circumstances surrounding the presentation of the Commandments to his followers indicate Moses' discernment of the spiritual foundations of man's real existence. Indeed, they portray his growing comprehension of man's true oneness with God. How clearly was the truth unfolded to him that the great I AM, understood and demonstrated, frees from bondage to materiality, saves from the "Egypt" of sin, sickness, poverty, discouragement, and loss, and destroys fear! Moses' intelligent use of this understanding caused the Israelites to trust him and to follow his directing.
Quoting the First Commandment and designating it as her favorite text, our inspired Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 340), "The divine Principle of the First Commandment bases the Science of being, by which man demonstrates health, holiness, and life eternal." With deep gratitude we comprehend that Mrs. Eddy's discovery of divine Science is based upon the true or spiritual interpretation of Holy Writ.
The understanding of God's law and its availability in human affairs brings the certain demonstration of "health, holiness, and life eternal" to the earnest student's individual experience. Christian Science shows the vital importance of comprehending the laws of God and the necessity of implicit obedience to them. All who so desire may avail themselves of the healing and regenerating power of Truth made practical through spiritual understanding. This new-old Science leaves no question as to our duty to God, outlined in the first five commandments, and explains with equal clarity our obligation to our fellow men, as indicated in the last five. Moreover, Christian Science declares that humble self-renunciation and spiritual spontaneity form the fertile ground in which the seeds of pure consecration spring up, bearing much fruit.
