In this age of critical analysis, many intelligent people demand proof before they accept a radical change of thought. Mary Baker Eddy has proved to the world, and through her writings has provided the means by which we can prove for ourselves, the healing efficacy of the teachings of Christian Science. But she has also designated certain rules for us to obey and daily duties for us to perform in order that we may attain the individual salvation which this Science provides.
Mrs. Eddy makes it clear in her writings that the way of salvation is the way of Christ, Truth. Hence, individual salvation depends upon earnest striving for spiritual growth and progress. Salvation is not a future reward or a selfish possession. Mrs. Eddy defines it on page 593 in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" as "Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all; sin, sickness, and death destroyed." The eternal now needs no past or future. The constant unfoldment of God's infinite glories is the present spiritual reality. When dealing with human thinking, the relative human sense of time must be taken into consideration, for so-called mortal mind counterfeits reality in a sequence of material, sensual thoughts requiring time for their conception and development.
In studying Mrs. Eddy's many references to prayer and to other daily activities, one is led to the conclusion that the word "daily" should include the thought of habitual, frequent, and often. For instance, Mrs. Eddy writes in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (pp. 128, 129): "Watch, and pray daily that evil suggestions, in whatever guise, take no root in your thought nor bear fruit. Ofttimes examine yourselves, and see if there be found anywhere a deterrent of Truth and Love, and 'hold fast that which is good.'"
