Someone has defined the meaning of the word "parable" as "an earthly story with a heavenly meaning," and probably every student of Christian Science would agree with this definition. We remember, for instance, our Master's parable of the leaven as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (13:33): "The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."
The world in which we live is in many respects very different from the world in which Jesus moved, but the need is similar. The leaven must be active. Today there is greater material knowledge but a marked deficiency of faith in spiritual things. Unless we watch closely against the pride of intellectualism, we may be in danger of forgetting the simplicity that is in Christ, in which case the leaven cannot work. The intellectual ones call for the meat of the Word, but they cannot digest it spiritually unless they first learn to assimilate the inspired milk of the Word and come like babes to the feet of Jesus.
There are millions ready for the message of Christian Science. Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 570): "Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences." There are, of course, many ways of making the truths of Christian Science known to the "waiting and watching" millions. Our first desire is no doubt, to turn inquirers to our textbooks—the Bible and Science and Health. The purpose of these textbooks is to bring healing and salvation to the race. The healing work of Christian Science will draw the multitude, for when we ourselves realize the power of God's Word, others will do likewise.
