Many observers of human nature admit the necessity for greater spiritual enlightenment. Some feel that civilization will not survive unless there is a return to the practice of the spiritual values as found in the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. Christian Science emphasizes the need of spiritual education and provides for its development. It reveals the knowledge of God and the practical application of the divine law in human affairs.
The things of the Spirit are not seen by the eyes but felt by the convictions. Many are aware that within the last seventy years a great change has taken place in world thinking and that the long-closed door leading to spiritual knowledge is being thrown open by the power of Truth working on the thought of the advancing age. We are, in fact, living in the early dawn of a great spiritual reformation. The signs of the time are indicative of this. The wonders brought to light by discovery and invention hint the wonders of spiritual existence which are in these days being revealed through Christian Science. On page 268 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes: "In the material world, thought has brought to light with great rapidity many useful wonders. With like activity have thought's swift pinions been rising towards the realm of the real, to the spiritual cause of those lower things which give impulse to inquiry."
From early childhood Mrs. Eddy pursued a quest for knowledge. Her primary object was a search for God, but she left no stone unturned to acquire learning of the right kind. At an early age her favorite studies were natural philosophy and moral science, and her brother Albert taught her the ancient Hebrew, Greek, and Latin tongues. After her discovery of Christian Science this knowledge was subordinated and spiritual knowledge became her leading objective. She commenced to understand and prove the truth concerning God and His Christ, and she desired to pass this knowledge on to others so that they might benefit as she had benefited. In the pursuit" of spiritual education Mrs. Eddy was in line with the Master, Christ Jesus, who was continually instructing his disciples in the spiritual truths concerning God and man. He encouraged them also to study the Scriptures. He said (John 5:39), "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
