Both the beginner and the advanced student of Christian Science are vitally interested in understanding what Mary Baker Eddy so aptly designates "solid Christian Science." She says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 156): "Science is absolute, and best understood through the study of my works and the daily Christian demonstration thereof. It is their materiality that clogs the progress of students, and 'this kind goeth not forth but by prayer and fasting.'" A little farther on she adds: "Spirituality is the basis of all true thought and volition. Assembling themselves together, and listening to each other amicably, or contentiously, is no aid to students in acquiring solid Christian Science."
Here we see that Mrs. Eddy is very definite as to both the right and the wrong method of working to acquire an understanding of "solid Christian Science." The weekly Lesson-Sermons, outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly, provide both the beginner and the advanced student with the solid foundation for their understanding and growth in Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy chose twenty-six subjects for these Bible Lessons, which are so comprehensive in their scope that through the study of them, students may learn the true nature of God, man, and the universe. This is not accomplished, however, by one's merely going over the Bible Lesson each day in a perfunctory manner, but by approaching this study as one hungering after righteousness. Then is fulfilled the promise of the Master (Matt. 5:6), "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
According to one dictionary, the word "solid" is defined in part as: "Sound; strong; ... stable, real, genuine. ... Serious in purpose or character." The one Mind, which we learn in the study of Christian Science is the Mind of man, is never weary, nor is it burdened by a false sense of responsibility. And in the Manual of The Mother Church, our Leader writes (Art. XVII, Sect. 1): "A Christian Scientist is not fatigued by prayer, by reading the Scriptures or the Christian Science textbook. Amusement or idleness is weariness. Truth and Love rest the weary and heavy laden." Just as the Mind which is God is never weary, so the Life which is God is spiritually solid, that is, genuine, sound, and indestructible, and God alone is man's continuing Life.
