Because of her spiritual discernment, her unflagging patience, and her manifest love for mankind, Mary Baker Eddy was able to restore to men the Christ-method of healing demonstrated by Jesus and his early followers. Rising above obscure beliefs, human theories and creeds, Mrs. Eddy discovered the importance and the value of spiritual power. We are grateful that the light of understanding dawned on her; and the fact that this great revelator was not afraid to set forth revolutionary concepts fills us with sincere respect and admiration. Our beloved Leader was courageous; she proved it by battling alone against the formidable currents of dark, chaotic thinking, maintaining her position in the face of world-wide opposition. The Christian Science movement with its churches, Reading Rooms, sanatoriums, publications, and lectures is the outward manifestation of her prayer and work, which, however, has a far deeper import than the visible organization.
From what overflowing spiritual fountain did Mrs. Eddy draw the extraordinary assurance which characterized her words and works? Was it not her unconquerable trust in and understanding of God, the one divine Mind, and her discernment of the power of right thoughts? Firmly established on the rock of spiritual discernment and understanding, she was able to declare with divine authority (Pulpit and Press, p. 3): "Know, then, that you possess sovereign power to think and act rightly, and that nothing can dispossess you of this heritage and trespass on Love." While the echo of her inspired words sounded through an age teeming with divergent opinions and interminable controversies, she made abundant use of this "sovereign power to think and act rightly." She did not permit the host of false, mortal beliefs to devour the newborn idea, nor the distress and suffering of human existence to cloud and darken her spiritual vision.
In the same way the Christian Scientist must ceaselessly utilize that "sovereign power to think and act rightly" which constitutes the only proof of his spirituality. If he is really conscious of his moral responsibility, and if he desires to remain faithful to the Cause of Christian Science, the true disciple of the Master can in no wise content himself with a knowledge of the letter only, or with a theoretical grasp of the revelation of Truth. He knows that mere outward worship, membership in The Mother Church or in a branch organization, or even the privilege of class instruction in Christian Science is not enough. The sincere Christian Scientist knows that he is worthy to be called by that name only as "he lays his whole weight of thought, tongue, and pen in the divine scale of being—for health and holiness" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, by Mrs. Eddy, p. 146).
