For the soldier, the statesman, the individual of any sort today, what is the practical meaning of the so called miracles of Scriptural times, those episodes in which men and women, often in apparently desperate circumstances, received by spiritual means the help they needed? In quantity and variety, no less than in quality, the episodes make an impressive record. The writer of the book of Hebrews, after referring to a number of them in detail, continues: "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens."
Christian Science teaches that these incidents are full of practical and joyful significance for all men today. It explains that they were not miraculous, but resulted from the operation of natural spiritual law, and that similar deliverance and victory over evil are available now through the understanding of this law. And Christian Science presents conclusive evidence in support of these assurances. For its students today, like the men and women of ancient times, are proving under many and varied conditions that God is "a very present help in trouble."
What is the method of these proofs—these demonstrations over disease, disability, lack, peril? How in the face of difficulties and danger is divine power invoked and experienced? Mary Baker Eddy, the revered Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, answers these questions with great simplicity. She sums up the answer in a single sentence on page 571 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," in which she writes, "Know thyself, and God will supply the wisdom and the occasion for a victory over evil." Spiritually to know oneself is the way. And Christian Science shows clearly how one may do this.
