In order that he may be able to bear witness to the practical demonstration of Christian Science, which is based upon the words and works of Christ Jesus, the student of this healing truth is ever active in the effort to gain spiritual understanding. His textbooks are the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. The latter gives, as no other does, a scientifically spiritual explanation and interpretation of Jesus' teachings.
Mrs. Eddy's inspired exposition of metaphysics shows us clearly that the Master, Christ Jesus, did not accept the testimony of the material senses, but with spiritual sense he saw beyond this to what is divinely real. He envisioned the perfection of God's creation, including man, and this was the basis of his marvelous healing work. Three essentials which may be observed in the Master's demonstrations of God's law are necessary to the practitioner and may be found in this analysis of prayer contained in the opening statement of Science and Health (p. 1): "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love." It is to be noted that each of these spiritual qualities is of the highest and utmost importance in demonstrating Christian Science. While these three qualities are distinct, the wording of Mrs. Eddy's statement shows that absolute faith includes them all.
Love and understanding are as the sunlight pouring into the window of receptive thought. A limited faith may not always disperse the clouds of mortal mind. Such a state of consciousness may be likened to a view in which the surrounding landscape is partially hidden by fog or mist. But when through spiritual understanding there comes the fullness of the sunlight, we may see the loveliness of outline and detail of earth, tree, and flower against the clear blue sky. Likewise in the light of increasing spiritual illumination we see ever more clearly the wondrous beauty of God's creation. The light of the Christ illumines with spiritual understanding the unbounded universe of God and reveals man as spiritual and perfect.
