A BOOKKEEPER by making a survey of his accounts at the end of each month proves that they are well kept and in perfect balance. This survey is called "taking a trial balance." Sometimes errors may have been made in the recording of a transaction, and the trial balance uncovers such mistakes and affords opportunity for the bookkeeper to correct his entries. When these corrections have been made, the books are said to be in balance, and the bookkeeper can speak with authority regarding the debits and credits of the business.
The word trial in its primary meaning denotes "subjection ... to a test, examination, ... or the like, to determine something in question," or in other words to prove the truth. However, one sometimes hears it said that a friend is going through a trial, and in this sense the word denotes affliction or vexation.
Earnest students of Christian Science are endeavoring to prove that the law of God, good, when rightly applied, destroys false concepts and brings into evidence the truth of man and his relation to God. Sometimes, as the light of spiritual understanding dawns upon one's thinking, he may exclaim, "Oh, I see!" It is not the error that he now sees; it is the correct view, or truth, which instantly corrects the error. The endeavor to correct one's human mistakes may seem to be a vexing trial if self pity or fear is allowed to enter thought. But if one approaches this work in humility and patience, persistently knowing the truth of his real selfhood, he can go forward with courage and prove that Truth lived inevitably cancels and destroys false testimony.
