It becomes increasingly clear to the student of Christian Science that his understanding of this final revelation of Truth is closely linked to his understanding of its revelator, Mary Baker Eddy. Not just once but a number of times I have gained greater understanding of God's plan of salvation while contemplating one or more of the biographical works concerning Mrs. Eddy. I was once lifted out of a heavy pall of indecision when I realized the meaning of spiritual leadership while reading the three volumes entitled "We Knew Mary Baker Eddy."
In a letter to a student, Mrs. Eddy wrote (Miscellany, p. 358), "Beloved! you need to watch and pray that the enemy of good cannot separate you from your Leader and best earthly friend." How can we most effectively pray such a protective prayer?
We who are of the Church of Christ, Scientist, which was formed to reinstate primitive Christianity's element of healing, do well to compare our position in the twentieth century with that of the Christians of the first centuries. We discover that the early Christians successfully strove for nearly three centuries to keep the enemy of good from plucking the seed of Truth out of their hearts. We can also discover what finally seemed to cause their capitulation and their consequent loss of healing power. And then we can see to it that this does not happen in the twentieth century.
