It is evident that a better state of things than now prevails is needed before mankind can enjoy the blessings promised to the righteous. The kingdom of God must come in human thought before the belief in the reign of evil, which now seems to hold sway over mankind, can be destroyed. But though all are united as to the need of human redemption, there is a wide difference of opinion as to the means and time of its accomplishment, and much valuable time is spent arguing and disputing over these various theories and beliefs, while the world goes on in its sin and suffering. The pressing need is that humanity be shown the way out of evil, and not be vexed with conflicting theories which afford no practical aid in that direction.

Mortals are prone to controversy because of their divergent views, and especially in the matter of religion. They resort to battles of words in defending their beliefs, instead of proving the truth or error of their position by actual test. However logical one's theory from a given premise, this is not sufficient of itself to establish its correctness, whereas its results in actual practice are beyond dispute. In view of this palpable fact it is somewhat strange that men do not decide their doctrinal differences by an appeal to demonstration rather than by argument and debate. If one's belief is not capable of present proof, at least to some reasonable extent, it is too problematic to be of much real service in the stress and struggle of human life.

Turning to Christian Science, one frequently hears of those who have been led to investigation and accept this teaching because of their observation of the lives of Christian Scientists. What they had seen of the influence of Christian Science upon their every-day life proved more convincing to them than a thousand arguments without that example could have done. What better thing could be said of us as Christians than that our practice of the truths we profess to believe is such as to compel the needy wanderers in the highways and by-ways of earth to heed the call of the Christ?

The novice in the study of Christian Science is sometimes tempted to cross swords in argument with the exponents of other and materialistic methods of thought, because it seems to him that Christian Science is Scripturally and logically so impregnable that he has but to present his side of the question for his opponents to yield up the battle, but he will soon discover that such a course does little if any good. Reasoning from mutually conceded premises, one might compel an old-school theologian to admit theoretically the Christian Science point of view, and yet not convince him to the extent of his making it the rule of his thought and life. He is not searching for truth who thinks it is contained in his present beliefs, and until he is driven to seek a higher way he is not apt to see it even if it be pointed out to him.

The business of the Christian Scientist is not to dispute with the advocates of material systems, but to lead starved and famished mortals to where they may find the bread and water of Life. This is not done by words alone, but through the evidence which one's own personal experience presents of what the truth of being can do for men. Without this our words, however brilliant in literary art, will be lusterless and cold, while with this example they will shine resplendent with the glow and warmth of love, though of themselves they may be simple and awkwardly put together. Our Leader has told us that "if our words fail to express our deeds, God will redeem that weakness" (Science and Health, p. 354); but if our deeds fail to support our words, what have we wherewith to convince mankind of their truth?

If our experience reflects the teaching of Christian Science, so far as we understand them, until we become "living epistles" to be "read and known of all men," this will do more for the coming of Christ's kingdom on earth than anything we could possibly say. Argument may only call forth counter-arguments to the end of the chapter, and our opponents may believe they have talked us down, but no one can say aught in refutation of our example. No one can argue away the good we receive and do. Those are pregnant words for all Christian Scientists, where our Leader speaks of Jesus as refuting "all opponents with his healing power" (Science and Health, p. 18). This "healing power" is the only convincing argument we can use, and the only one that proves we understand the subject, or that we have something better to offer than the prevailing beliefs of mortals. When we know whereof we speak, because of our ability to heal, we shall have passed beyond the outposts of mere argument, and may state the truth sympathetically and lovingly, and leave the result to God.

Many of us are prone to talk too much to inquirers and beginners. We are apt to forget the years of growth that have seemed necessary to bring us to even our feeble understanding of Christian Science, and so may try to force in others a rapid assimilation of truth that requires experience and demonstration to mature and maintain. Even on the material side it is not considered a wise course to stuff a famished person full of food, and neither is it wise on the spiritual side to fill a hungry inquirer so full of the letter of Science that his bewildered thought is unable to use it. When the infantile conception of the Christ-truth is struggling for development, it is better to feed it with milk than to run risk of choking it with strong meat. Let us restrain the selfish pleasure that prompts us, at the sight of one in need, to spread all that we think we have before him, for however well-intentioned may be our efforts, our good purpose may be thwarted by an overanxious zeal. It is safest and best to lead the awakening thought to Science and Health, from which living fount of truth it may draw according to its needs.

When tempted to display unduly our familiarity with the letter of Christian Science, it is well to remember that Mrs. Eddy spent many years in demonstrating her discovery and in maturing her knowledge of Truth, before giving her text-book to the world. And we who have but touched the hem of the garment of Christian Science will do well to be modest in the knowledge we profess of it, and to think of what we have been able to do in the line of its demonstration, before we assume to give to others over much of what we have not ourselves proved. Words are easily forgotten unless they are the outcome of one's works, while the goodness embodied in character and life blooms perennially to gladden earth and heaven.

If we are gaining a higher understanding of God as a result of our Christian practice, our light will shine without any effort on our part, and those seeing these "good works," those who discern their true nature and significance, will glorify our Father; whereas our good words may of themselves produce no such result. Human thought, judging only from the outward vision, may note the progress of Christian Science by the number of its followers and the beauty of its churches, but God's angel is recording its history in the good it does, and it rests with individual Christian Scientists that the history be so written that all mankind shall rejoice at the revealed way.

But let it not be thought that Christian Scientists are or should be a silent people. The great good they have received warms their hearts to gratitude and touches their lips often to eloquence. It gives them joy to talk to willing ears of their religion, of their new concept of God and what it brings to them, and it is well that these things are so. It were a sad thing if what they have seen and proved of the goodness and power of God did not inspire their lips to praise and thanksgiving, and turn their hearts in loving helpfulness towards those in need. By all means let such talk continue and increase so long as it is the overflow of joy at the realized presence of Christ. The mistake is not in speaking of what Christian Science has done for us, but it is in arguing our case with those who differ from us, or in attempting promiscuously to teach Christian Science to the unready thought, instead of referring inquirers when possible to the Christian Science text-book for their answers. All soil is not ready for the seed, and the wise husbandman will not be chary nor impatient of his time in bringing that condition about, so that his later efforts shall have their full fruition.

"Words fitly spoken" are needed in our work, and we may be required at times to say much in explanation of our faith, but let us not forget that our example must be right to give our words the force of truth. When our life bears testimony to the truth of Christian Science we can declare the good news to all who have ears to hear; and our words shall not be "like clouds without rain," but will refresh the weary hearts of men.