Editorial July 29, 1911 Issue

THE RULE OF PRACTICE

ARCHIBALD MCLELLAN

THROUGHOUT Mrs. Eddy's writings there is an insistence upon the necessity for having not merely a theoretical belief in Christian Science, but rather a demonstrable knowledge of it; and the reason for this is explained on page 323 of Science and Health, where she writes, "In order to apprehend more, we must put into practice what we already know. We must recollect that Truth is demonstrable when understood, and that good is not understood until demonstrated." This rule of practice is the key-note not only of intelligent action, but of all right endeavor. It is the rule for all Christian Science study and demonstration, and the guide by which we may expect to make further progress. Correlated to this saying of our Leader is another, on page 457 of the same book, viz.: "Christian Science is not an exception to the general rule, that there is no excellence without labor in a direct line. One cannot scatter his fire, and at the same time hit the mark." This saying also shows that mere theorizing about Christian Science, or a perfunctory acceptance of its teachings, is not sufficient, and that diligent study and application are necessary for those who are to become Christian Scientists in fact as well as in name.

Theory alone will never make one accomplished in any pursuit. Theory must be worked out, made practical, to be of any use. Mrs. Eddy discovered a wonderful truth, but she waited until she had proved the value of her discovery, until she had demonstrated the Principle and rule whereby Christ Jesus healed the sick and the sinning, before she gave it to the world; they might deride and scoff at a theory, but they could not gainsay its practice when before their very eyes the sick were healed and the sinning reformed. Over and over again, undaunted by sneers and ridicule, she proved that "the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear" the prayer of faith which heals the sick today as it did nineteen hundred years ago.

Our Leader has set before us a high goal, even the attainment of that degree of perfection which the Master commanded: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." There is one thing to be noted, however, in connection with this command, namely, that it is the conclusion, the result which is to be obtained by the practice of the precepts which precede it; in other words, it is the doing of his commandments that will work for, bring about, the perfectness which belongs to the divine likeness. Jesus made no secret to his followers that toil and struggle would be their portion,—"in the world ye shall have tribulation," he told them later; but behold the reward to them that do his commandments: "Whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." They were to do them, that their teaching might have the sincerity, the effectiveness which comes only from practice.

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