"Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." This injunction by our Lord constitutes the only method whereby we may plainly discern spiritual truth.

Owing, perhaps, to a habit long formed of holding an attitude receptive rather than antagonistic to religious instruction, and always with a deep desire to know the truth rather than to accept creed or dogma, on mere belief, and aiming to have no opinion until the standpoint presented was clearly comprehended, I was enabled thus to receive more quickly the light that everywhere radiates in the teachings of Christian Science. Like many others, however, when Christian Science was first brought to my attention. I was inclined to regard it jocularly, and with a "mild degree of suspicion." It might be sound. I thought, but more likely it would prove to be a fad, a mystic's dream, or a mercenary scheme. But since the law supposes innocence until guilt is proven and since evidence, pro and con, is necessary before a verdict is determined upon, I would form no opinion for or against until the case was clearly presented; moreover, I would allow no preconceived notions, or prejudices, to wrap my judgment and cause a foregone conclusion, and so I was readily persuaded to listen to the evidence and consult the recognized authority, the Scientist's text-book.

The purchase of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" was suggested as the necessary first step to a clear understanding. Probably, thought I, this is the summa summarum, the why and the wherefore of the whole matter,—a publisher's scheme to sell books. My expectations as to the logical value of the work was not quite up to par; doubtless, it would be an easy matter to sift it and find naught but dross, glaring and illogical, but I had decided to "hear the evidence" fairly and impartially, and it was against my rule to pre-determine a verdict, or allow prejudice to direct my intelligence.

The book was purchased. I had not read three pages before I perceived that I was in the presence of a master mind. I was impressed with the high order of literary attainment therein displayed; of the fair and logical reasoning when the author was taken at her request to consider fairly the disadvantage she was at in writing on a purely spiritual subject in the language of physics. I found Science and Health not only a work to be respected for its noble, lofty purpose, but also for its erudition; its cogent, logical reasoning, and its correct deductions. From that moment I had tolerant respect for Christian Science, and a live interest in "hearing the evidence."

In my novitiate days, the period of my skepticism. I of course found many apparently contradictory statements,—the little leaven had not yet begun its work,—but as I also found most statements self-evident truths, I waived the doubtful ones, and awaited further light, further growth, and I did not have to wait long. Soon I found that I had not rightly comprehended,—that the apparent conflict of testimony was only my own darkened vision's interpretation,—in fact, there was no conflict, now that I had attained to the correct viewpoint. And right here let me say that, in seeking evidence on both sides of the question, I have read many criticisms adverse to Christian Science by scholarly writers, divines, and others, whose preconceived tenets and church dogmas had caused them to read amiss, even as I had done, and whose violent opposition to the man of straw which they so vigorously attacked was everywhere apparent. I have read from books and sermons which attempted to ridicule disprove the teachings of Christian Science; but I have never yet failed to find that these critics had not reached the spiritual viewpoint so necessary for a clear, not even to say a fair, understanding of what Mrs. Eddy was striving to make apparent, and does make clearly apparent to all who approach her work with a proper spirit, free from preconceived notions and their resultant prejudices. Truly "eyes have they, but they see not: they have ears, but they hear not." I soon saw that even the system of capitalization used in the text-book has an all-important significance. Reared in the atmosphere of the publishing business, I early grasped this important fact. For instance: Life (God); life (the mortal dream of entity or being); Truth (God); truth (a divine idea, an actuality, or a correct statement of being); Mind (God); mortal mind (the false evolvements, or supposed thought-action of the material brain); Love (God), love (a sentiment of affection), etc.

I should like to speak of the fundamental truths of Christian Science as they appeared to me. but I cannot do more than cite these simple, self-evident propositions: namely, truth is the opposite of the false, or error: they cannot possibly co-exist. Truth alone is real. Likewise Spirit is the opposite of matter: both cannot exist in truth (or fact), hence, if Spirit is real, matter must be unreal It cannot be otherwise, because truth and falsehood are opposites, To maintain the reality of the material creation, therefore, is incompatible with the maintenance of the truth of spiritual existence. God is omnipotent, and His power is shared with none other, Man, His image, cannot be material, because, if so, he would not reflect God, be His image.

I am young in Christian Science, but I have learned that its practice means steady growth: that its greatest blessing is spiritual uplifting, a sustaining grace, a witnessing of the Spirit," Its teaching is purely spiritual, and he who looks for aught else, or approaches it in any other attitude than that of an honest desire to discern Christ, will be disappointed, and will remain darkness. I have learned that it is much easier to overcome human weaknesses in Christian Science than out of it; that, if you are a Christian Scientist you will strive to live it, and not merely talk of it. These things I know, "By their fruits ye shall know them," and of such are the fruits of Christian Science. Physical healing is a secondary consideration; but I have experienced in my family that "miracle" which is no miracle in the realm of Spirit.

Dear reader, if you truly desire to know these things, follow Jesus' admonition precisely and without deviation: "Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."