Every thoughtful young person at some time feels the need of finding an answer to such questions as: What is God? What am I? Why am I here? And it is important that these questions be answered correctly. If one has had the privilege of attending a Christian Science Sunday School, he has been taught to look to the Christian Science textbooks, the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, for the right answers to these questions and to many others. He has been taught that the truth as revealed by Mrs. Eddy, when understood, gives meaning and purpose to human experience and is his sure protection and guidance in daily affairs. He has learned too that he must do his part if he would understand Truth as Christian Science reveals it. This understanding is vital to him, since what he knows of Truth or God is indeed the reality of his being. If he has not been aware of just what he must do to dispel the mists of material thinking and know himself to be the son of God, let him read the words of our Leader on page 495 of Science and Health. Here she points out that to advance most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science one must "study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit."
To "study thoroughly the letter" certainly means more than reading a part of the Lesson-Sermon, or even all of it, each day. Reading the Lesson is very important, but more than this is necessary if one would reach the understanding which demonstrates Christian Science. No student could expect that by simply reading a textbook on chemistry he would be able to solve chemical problems. To advance in the understanding of any science one must follow its rules and use an exact method. This is no less true in regard to Christian Science. But the laws of the Science of Christ are spiritual, and the method of their demonstration is revealed only as thought becomes spiritualized, as we "imbibe the spirit."
The first four words of the Bible are, "In the beginning God." And God must, of course, be our starting point in the study of Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy has given a definition of God on page 465 of Science and Health that is invaluable as a basis for intelligent, systematic study. This definition states, "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love." In order to detach our thought from a false material sense of God, it is necessary to understand the meaning of the word "incorporeal" and recognize Him as infinite Spirit. When God is thus seen it is not difficult, in the light of Christian Science, to understand that one's own true self, that which is the image and likeness of God, is incorporeal, wholly spiritual. Gaining the understanding of God as Mind, Spirit, and of man's inseparable oneness with Him. one need no longer ask himself, "What am I?" He has glimpsed the glorious reality of his own true being.
