In her article "Fidelity" Mrs. Eddy writes: "Seek Truth, and pursue it. It should cost you something: you are willing to pay for error and receive nothing in return; but if you pay the price of Truth, you shall receive all." Miscellaneous Writings, p. 342; In this passage our Leader, while expounding on Christ Jesus' parable of the ten virgins (see Matt. 25: 1-13), has opened the door to our spiritual progress.
In his parable teaching the wisdom of spiritual preparedness, Jesus likens the entrance of Christ, the true idea of God, into human consciousness to the coming of the bridegroom to a wedding. All preparations should have been made for the joyous event. According to custom at this happy festivity, held at midnight, each attendant furnished his own light. Metaphorically the light is the outward glow of inward spirituality. The foolish maidens wanted Christ; they had their lamps. But they had not bought oil for them. They had not paid "the price of Truth," had not persevered in patiently cultivating their inner nature. Worldliness had enticed their attention. They slept, unready for the midnight hour. Unfaithful to Christ, the spiritual idea of being, their inner light flickered for lack of heavenly qualities.
Are we prepared for progress as were the wise virgins, or do we take a place among the foolish ones who procrastinated? Have we been so wrapped up in material living that we have neglected spiritual values? Each day presses its demands forcefully until there seems to be little time left to think of God and we see no other way to live. What can we do about it?
