In an address, in 1893, Mary Baker Eddy made the following statement (Miscellaneous Writings, p.116): "The ultimate of scientific research and attainment in divine Science is not an argument: it is not merely saying, but doing, the Word—demonstrating Truth—even as the fruits of watchfulness, prayer, struggles, tears, and triumph."
The student of Christian Science, as he gains more understanding of the truth through his quickened interest in the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, is impelled to read and reread these wonderful books with deep searching and contemplative thought
The satisfying spiritual realities revealed in the Bible, when interpreted by Science and Health, arouse a keen desire to delve still deeper into the profound truths which have been recorded by prophet and teacher. Without question, the Bible is the outstanding book in the world's literature. Much has been written about this great book as evidence of mankind's increasing desire to know more of the Word.
The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science caught the revelation of spiritual truth as no one had since Christ Jesus. In the Christian Science textbook its author has written (p. 547): "The Scriptures are very sacred. Our aim must be to have them understood spiritually, for only by this understanding can truth be gained;" and again (ibid., p. 24), "Acquaintance with the original texts, and willingness to give up human beliefs (established by hierarchies, and instigated sometimes by the worst passions of men), open the way for Christian Science to be understood, and make the Bible the chart of life, where the buoys and healing currents of Truth are pointed out."
To understand the spiritual meaning of the Scriptures requires study and contemplation. Nevertheless, it is comforting to the young student of Christian Science to find that he can gain spiritual understanding—not only learn the letter, but gain the quickening influence of spiritual inspiration.
In Science and Health (p. 505) Mrs. Eddy has stated that "understanding is the line of demarcation between the real and unreal," and that "this understanding is not intellectual, is not the result of scholarly attainments; it is the reality of all things brought to light." It is evident, then, that understanding is available to each and every one who seeks it from Spirit, Mind. It is the natural result of reflecting God.
With this fact in thought, the student of Christian Science has before him the opportunity to carry on his "scientific research" with zeal and increasing inspiration. Spiritual understanding will enable him to search the Scriptures systematically, intelligently,and with satisfying results. With the valued textbook of Christian Science at his right hand, the student is enabled to gain the correct interpretation of Bible passages and find the spiritual truths which must be seen and understood if he is to reach the ultimate of research —the demonstration of Truth.
It is interesting to note that the quotation in the first paragraph of this article is taken from an address entitled "Obedience." This word implies law, which must be adhered to; and the Christian world has accepted the Bible as containing the revelation of the law of God. With the aid of his textbook, the Christian Scientist finds the spiritual law set forth in the Scriptures and learns how to conform thereto his thinking and, therefore, his words and his deeds. Thus is reached the spiritual attainment whereby the student "is not merely saying, but doing, the Word—demonstrating Truth."
In order that one may demonstrate Truth one must have the scientific sense, or understanding, of Truth. Since Truth is God, and man is the image and likeness of God, man is the very reflection or expression of Truth. The individual consciousness, individual man, is this expression. Man, then, being the very expression of Truth, can be conscious only of that which is absolutely true. His consciousness is pure and holy, and nothing can enter it that "defileth,. . . or maketh a lie." It includes all that is right, all that is spiritually satisfying
The human so-called mind, beclouded by material sense, is slow to relinquish its false beliefs; hence the necessity of study, prayer, and contemplation, that the false human concepts may be changed. As darkness disappears before the rising sun, so false human concepts disappear before the light of Truth, revealing man's real nature or true consciousness. This spiritual attainment leads to demonstration, "even as the fruits of watchfulness, prayer, struggles, tears, and triumph."
How important it is to be watchful that one's thoughts shall follow the line of divine law, in accordance with Paul's admonition to the Corinthians to bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ"! How important it is to understand how really to pray!
Untold treasures, revealing the possibilities of scientific prayer, may be discovered in the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's works. Why, one may ask, should one need to be so zealous in watchfulness and in prayer? Why should one spend so much time in research, study, and contemplation? Because the goal to be reached is so desirable, the prize to be won so valuable! Paul, who had "struggles, tears, and triumph," realized the necessity to press on if the prize were to be won. He said, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Patient effort and persistent striving to win the bliss of spiritual-mindedness will be crowned with success, and it is this spiritual-mindedness which enables one to prove the Principle of Science. Many encouraging signs appear as one becomes better able to do this proving. Diseases are healed, sinful habits destroyed, and a better mental and physical state is established.
The divine Principle and its rules must be understood and applied. Success in demonstration is the test of the student's understanding and spirituality. Both these qualities are essential. Real understanding is spiritual, and true spirituality includes understanding. "The high calling of God in Christ Jesus" is reached only through the spiritually mental effort to displace the erroneous concept and material sense with the pure, spiritual sense of being; and it is through this sense that health, peace, and real happiness are found.
A daily guide to the study of the Bible and Science and Health is offered through the Bible Lessons in the Christian Science Quarterly. Thus the impersonal teacher and preacher—the Bible and Science and Health—presents opportunity for the study of the twenty-six divinely revealed subjects which were given by Mrs. Eddy; and each Lesson-Sermon sets forth important topics of the specific subject in concise and understandable manner. The selection of the references for each Lesson is the result of prayerful research by the members of the Bible Lesson Committee. A simple plan of study is thus presented, and definite spiritual truths are made available to every alert student.
Intelligent study of our inspired textbooks creates deeper interest in spiritual things, and brings fruitful and satisfying results. As the truth is revealed, one becomes more fully aware of the majesty and might of God, of the infinitude of His universe, of the dominion given to man—the very expression of Mind.
With this awakened spiritual consciousness, one sees disease and discord as unreal—not actual. One perceives health to be the natural and normal state of man, and normal bodily health as the resultant in human experience.
Love, which is wholly a mental state, produces definite effects on the body. The denial of the claims of hate, malice, and all other forms of evil, dispels such erroneous conditions of mortal mind and nullifies their apparent effects. The consciousness filled with love cannot entertain hate; the thought which acknowledges good as the only reality cannot accept evil as real. It is quite impossible to perceive and fully accept a divine fact and at the same instant believe in some opposite error or illusion of mortal mind.
Spiritual awakening is the great need of humanity today, and it is encouraging to note that this need is being recognized by business men as well as by those more particularly concerned with religion. A well known financial statistician has written recently: "As a nation or as individuals, we are awakened spiritually only in proportion to our willingness to pay any price that Truth may prevail. This spirit develops only through study, effort, and prayer. It is the hope of the world."
What a privilege is ours, to utilize the spiritual truths which have been given to the world in the Bible and our Leader's inspired writings! What accomplishment, what attainment, may be ours as we correctly apply what we learn of Truth!
