Recently the writer was called in by a group of young people to share in a discussion on religion. In this discussion Christian Science seemed to be under attack.
As she looked upon the earnest faces of this group of teen-agers, representing a medley of Christian faiths, the writer saw clearly that in reality no Christian faith was being judged; only the various individuals' accepted beliefs about what was considered to be a new and heretic religion, but of which they were quite ignorant, were being judged; only ignorance, bias, and prejudice were before the bar of Truth. So whenever bias and prejudice came to the fore in the discussion, the writer firmly challenged them, and then there always came the earnest reply, "But we want to know." The experience ended amicably and with mutual respect.
"We want to know"! Throughout the New Testament this desire is declared. It was heard from the lips of Pilate when he demanded (John 18:38), "What is truth?" but he did not pursue the subject. The rich young man sought the answer from Jesus, but he did not want to meet the demands it made. The two earnest disciples on the road to Emmaus were awakened and enlightened, saying (Luke 24:32), "Did not our heart burn within us?" The Ethiopian declared to Philip (Acts 8:31), "How can I [understand], except some man should guide me?"
The longing for knowledge of the truth is inherent in every heart. Longfellow must have glimpsed this when he wrote,
That in even savage bosoms
There are longings, yearnings, strivings
For the good they comprehend not,
That the feeble hands and helpless,
Groping blindly in the darkness,
Touch God's right hand in that darkness
And are lifted up and strengthened.
Yes, "we want to know"! But what is it "we want to know"? Do we not "want to know" who and where God is? Do we not "want to know" who and what we are, and the reason for our existence?
It required the courage and consecration of a spiritually-minded New England woman to discover the answer to these longings and to share it with mankind. For many years Mrs. Eddy had been following every gleam of light that led her to trace all physical effects to a spiritually mental cause. After her recovery, by spiritual means, from the effects of an accident, she withdrew from society, with the Bible as her only textbook, and discovered the truths on which Christ Jesus' healings were based. Proving these truths as she progressed, she was led to write Science and Health.
In this textbook Mrs. Eddy sets forth God as All-in-all, the only creator, the great I am; and she shows man to be the spiritual image and likeness of God. Her findings are indeed revolutionary, but they are practical and provable beyond measure.
How can we know that these findings are true? How can we be sure that we can be helped by them? In Isaiah we read (45:11), "Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me." So we can ask God what we are and why we are—what is our Maker's purpose and plan concerning us. We can know that in Love's ever-presence we are comforted and protected and that He makes full provision for us. We also can know that as sons and daughters of God we are equipped with intelligence, discernment, and understanding.
We read in Romans (10:14, 15): "How ...shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" The Christian Science textbook answers all these questions in a completely satisfactory manner. It clearly states the rules and shows the receptive and honest heart how to prove those rules.
In answer to the question, "How can I progress most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science?" our Leader states (Science and Health, p. 495): "Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit. Adhere to the divine Principle of Christian Science and follow the behests of God, abiding steadfastly in wisdom, Truth, and Love." On the next page she adds: "We all must learn that Life is God. Ask yourself: Am I living the life that approaches the supreme good? Am I demonstrating the healing power of Truth and Love? If so, then the way will grow brighter 'unto the perfect day.' "
Christian Science, the exact knowledge of Truth, is infinite; it is forever unfolding with greater clarity and wisdom the vision of Mrs. Eddy, its Discoverer and Founder. Following steadfastly in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, our Leader has illumined the way for all who are willing to give up the world's ways and means of healing and who by spiritualization of thought are sincerely desirous of knowing the truth and abiding with it. She says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. xii): "With armor on, I continue the march, command and countermand; meantime interluding with loving thought this afterpiece of battle. Supported, cheered, I take my pen and pruning-hook, to 'learn war no more,' and with strong wing to lift up my readers above the smoke of conflict into light and liberty."
Truly does she continue her march, and through her writings we may march with her. Darkness, doubt, prejudice, ignorance, and fear are being dispelled through the numerous provisions she has made for the continuance of her work and for our advancement. The silent missionaries—the Christian Science periodicals, including our daily, international newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor—flood town, city, country, with rays of sunshine; the church services woo and welcome the wanderer seeking his true home; the Christian Science Reading Rooms are havens of rest and inspiration; and the Christian Science lectures attract those in need and ready to receive this priceless truth. The Lesson-Sermons, outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly, lift thought; they instruct, direct, govern, and guide every honest seeker of the light.
Supporting and cheering our Leader on her continued march, every loyal student may keep step with her. With hearts overflowing with gratitude and love, they are ready by their own proving to give an answer from their own faith and understanding to all who say, "We want to know." Responding to their Leader's challenge to give rest and drink to millions of unprejudiced seekers, they accept her assurance (Science and Health, p. 570), "Those ready for the blessing you impart will give thanks."
