We often hear reference made to someone's advancing years. Study of the word advance shows that the verb means "to move" or "go forward," "to progress"; and the noun means "improvement" and "progression." To advance in years may be interpreted as the act of moving, or going forward, making progress and improvement. As long as we progress, or advance, we cannot take a backward or downward step or show decline; we can show only improvement.
In Christian Science we learn that spiritualization of consciousness constitutes true progress. Through the study of the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy we acquire the knowledge that spiritualizes consciousness. As we make progress toward this accomplishment, we find great improvement in our human experience. By changing our thought from a material to a spiritual basis, we shall regard life not as a series of material happenings, sometimes good, sometimes bad, with periods of health and of sickness, until old age and death overtake us, but rather as a time for advancement. And this advancement will be seen as unfoldment, wherein good overcomes evil, truth conquers error, health destroys sickness, and life is victorious over death. The development into the understanding of spiritual living should be painless, a happy, natural growth, a gradual laying off of the old for the new, a losing of the consciousness of matter, until we arrive at "the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Eph. 4: 13). Our revered Leader makes this statement in "Science andHealth with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 485): "Emerge gently from matter into Spirit. Think not to thwart the spiritual ultimate of all things, but come naturally into Spirit through better health and morals and as the result of spiritual growth."
The child in school starts with the simplest problems, and as he satisfactorily learns each lesson, he is advanced to another, each one becoming a little more difficult according to his ability to solve it. His testing times come wherein he is called upon to prove his knowledge and aptitude. If his lessons have been well learned and wisely applied, he is ready for advancement, or promotion. He is rewarded according to his obedience and the degree of perfection achieved. Higher education, combined with earnest efforts and persistent application of his learning, broadens his knowledge and enables him to cope more successfully with the varied situations he may encounter.
