Events in the life of the Hebrew prophet Elisha, viewed in the light of Christian Science, furnish helpful examples of the timeless appearing of the Christ in human consciousness, instances of the unfoldment in thought of the spiritual identity of man and his God-bestowed dominion. It will be recalled that, although he recognized the importance of Elijah's first appearance to him while he was plowing, Elisha delayed a little his acceptance of this call to follow the prophet. In contrast is his repeated declaration during the progress of the two from Gilgal to Jordan, in what Elisha knew were to be his last hours with the human Elijah (II Kings 2:2), "As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee." And leave him he did not until, in pursuit of his quest for a double portion of the spirit which had animated his master, he apparently had gained an exalted view of man's true identity as the representative of God.
The significance of the words, "I will not leave thee," may be glimpsed in the record of Elisha's subsequent life, in which are disclosed practical instances of the prophet's fidelity to the spiritual vision required at Jordan, regardless of the evidence presented to his senses. Beyond this, however, emerges the truly inspiring point, revealed by Science, that the same vision and its potency for good have never ceased to be available to those who cultivate this spiritual mode of thought. In the Glossary in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, our Leader characterizes "Elias," or Elijah, in part as follows: "Christian Science, with which can be discerned the spiritual fact of whatever the material senses behold." We may use Elisha's words in our human experience to mean: I will not forsake my present understanding of or loyalty to Christian Science, nor will I cease to strive for a fuller acceptance of this truth, nor will I neglect to demonstrate my understanding.
Having made this high resolve, how may one carry it out? Mrs. Eddy recognized the importance of this inquiry, for we find her writing on page 495 of Science and Health:
