Christian Science stands before the world without apology for its teachings. This statement scarcely needs to be made, so proved are the Tenets and practices of the religion founded by Mary Baker Eddy. Demonstration has been and is the proof of Christian Science, as it must be of any teaching. When Christian Scientists live what they are taught, they are able to stand, as did Jesus before Pilate, without apology for their lives and their religion.
Sometimes men try harder to outwit their critics than to live above reasons for criticism. A student of any rule will be less exact than the rule. The Scientist may make mistakes in his effort to apply the rules of Truth, but with sincerity, spiritual understanding, and persistence he will be able to correct his mistakes and go on to victory. He must find his error and correct it, not try to excuse to the world his own failure. He must seek to show himself "approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed" (II Tim. 2:15). He must learn to express God so consistently that the light, joy, and love of eternal being become his in practical present manifestation. It is this living of the truth that permits the Scientist to stand without apology.
If we look honestly to our own living of the truth, what do we see? Is there a taint of compromise, vacillation, or timidity in our application of spiritual rules? Is there conservatism in our reliance on the metaphysics of Christian Science, or is our trust in Spirit and Spirit's ways radical and complete? Do we courageously use what we know of God's law? Our Leader says (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 452): "Right is radical. The teacher must know the truth himself. He must live it and love it, or he cannot impart it to others. We soil our garments with conservatism, and afterwards we must wash them clean. When the spiritual sense of Truth unfolds its harmonies, you take no risks in the policy of error."
