ONWARD, Christian soldiers"—when this stirring hymn is sung, what heart does not respond to the call to go forward, ever forward, in the Christian's warfare?
Is not the thought of retrogression repugnant to a progressive thinker? Who enjoys taking a retrograde step? To retrogress or retrograde means simply to step backward. To a Christian Scientist, whose watchword is progress, the suggestion of possible retrogression is unthinkable. And yet, is there not a need that students of the Science of Christianity be alerted to this danger, as people in cities about to be bombed were alerted in the war just ended?
In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy, under the marginal reference "Moral retrogression," sounds a note of warning. In unmistakable language she uncovers to the student subtle pitfalls which can cause seeming retrograde steps in his battle against error. And, as is always the case, after pointing out the error she shows conclusively how it is to be corrected. She writes (p. 22): "Vibrating like a pendulum between sin and the hope of forgiveness,— selfishness and sensuality causing constant retrogression,—our moral progress will be slow. Waking to Christ's demand, mortals experience suffering. This causes them, even as drowning men, to make vigorous efforts to save themselves; and through Christ's precious love these efforts are crowned with success."
