"How can I progress most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science?" is a question Mary Baker Eddy asks in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 495). The answer to this question, pointing out the requirements for such progress, is one that continually challenges us to examine our thinking and consider whether or not we are meeting these demands: "Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit. Adhere to the divine Principle of Christian Science and follow the behests of God, abiding steadfastly in wisdom, Truth, and Love." In the remainder of the answer Mrs. Eddy points out the spiritual facts which we learn while thus progressing spiritually.
The author of the book of Revelation sets forth the essentials for spiritual progress when he describes his vision of the angel with the open book and records his words (Rev. 10:9), "Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey." Perhaps we may discover through some illuminating experience that we have been merely studying the letter of Christian Science without digesting or assimilating this Science, and that we need to understand and express more of its spirit, if we would progress spiritually. Or we may find that we have loved the beauty of its teachings but have not always been willing to obey its moral and spiritual demands. The angelic voice still calls to the student of divine Science: "Go and take the little book... Take it, and eat it up." In this connection, one may recall with interest Mrs. Eddy's words in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 317), "Scarcely a moiety, compared with the whole of the Scriptures and the Christian Science textbook, is yet assimilated spiritually by the most faithful seekers; yet this assimilation is indispensable to the progress of every Christian Scientist."
In the study of Science and Health and the other writings by our Leader one is impressed not only by the richness of her vocabulary, but also by the exactness with which she uses words to convey the correct spiritual meaning. Mrs. Eddy labored unceasingly to put her discovery of Christian Science into the clearest, simplest, most accurate form, and we need to bring to its study some of the same patience, perseverance, and precision. We shall find in such study that our Leader's choice of words is a continual delight, and that our gratitude to her grows with our increasing spiritual enlightenment.
