Mrs. Eddy declares that "progress is the law of God" (Science and Health, p. 233), and this law rightfully demands from every individual ultimate spiritual perfection. This goal, however, is not won suddenly either in this world or in the so-called world to come, for we are further told that "universal salvation rests on progression and probation, and is unattainable without them" (Science and Health, p. 291). By taking the progressive steps as taught in Christian Science, the student should advance daily in understanding, so that he may be encouraged to continue his way ever sheltered from the storms and stress of circumstances by God's eternal law of harmony, for we have comforting assurance that this law demands only what can certainly be fulfilled.

It does not matter what the dream is from which Christian Science awakens one, the problem of working out his own salvation should start from the particular point where Christian Science finds him, and unless legitimate progress is made there is a missing link in the chain of his life-problem which needs to be found at once and welded into its rightful place. Surely the best place to seek for this is in ever-renewed and consecrated study of the Bible, in conjunction with its spiritual interpretation as revealed in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. If at times the way seems dark and the progress slow, it is only "by patient continuance in well doing" that it becomes illumined with grateful joy, and one's avenues of usefulness are perpetually enlarged. The student who is alert quickly learns that the only place to solve the problem of real advancement is in his own consciousness; in fact, he cannot watch too closely every phase of his own thinking, lest jealousy, criticism, or some other of the myriad forms of error find unsuspected lodgment in this sacred sanctuary. No debris of error should be allowed to collect there, subsequently to block his way; and the prophet's words, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts," should be prayerfully heeded.

Since each one has eternity in which to work out his individual problems, and disregard of the old maxim, "Haste maketh waste," may prove a serious stumbling-block in his way, it is important that the student should early learn not to go too fast by allowing himself to be influenced by the hurry and scurry of mortal existence; neither should he go too slowly by succumbing to the error of self-condemnation and discouragement which would keep him forever at work to retrieve past mistakes. If he does not err by forging ahead with untempered zeal, attempting to do today that which should be left till tomorrow, not put off till tomorrow that which it is imperative to do today, there will be no avenues of confusion opened through impatience to lure him into dangerous byways, and no appalling accumulations of neglected work for him eventually to surmount.

The danger-signal will cross one's pathway conspicuously if he looks longingly or enviously after a fellow student who he fancies has made strides in advance of his own progress. In his early struggles with his own difficulties, he may not at first realize that no one has preceded him far in Christian Science without having first earned that progress, every step of the way, through faithful, honest work. But progress comes many times from experience, and the beginner soon learns that every student has the same hill to climb, with approximately the same obstacles to meet that at times seem to impede his own progress. He learns, however, that he need suffer for no mistake but his own, and for this only until the mistake is rectified; therefore no obstacle should daunt him, for every difficulty will be gradually overcome just in the ratio that he abides in divine Love and follows meekly the divine Principle of all true progress, as revealed to his awakening understanding through persistent, faithful study. The bright light shining in the distant vista of another's efforts is certainly encouraging, but it will not do one's work for him. He cannot see clearer or reach heavenly heights faster by any doubtful methods, and sure progress is best gained by the one who walks steadfastly in the light of Truth along the path of his individual efforts.

Idleness is one of the greatest foes to progress, and this mental state must be continually watched and guarded against. The student never attains a height upon the steep hill of progress where he can afford to waste any time in illusive day-dreams. There are no convenient stopping-places where he may regard himself complacently and feel that his work is finished. Vain regrets for wasted opportunities in the past will not advance, but rather retard his growth; neither will idle dreams of some grand achievement in the future enable him to ascend the rugged heights more rapidly. The two thieves nailed to the cross on either side of our Saviour, might well typify the past and the future, but these two thieves cannot rob one of his legitimate progress if he watches vigilantly against their first approach to comradeship. "Now is the accepted time." said the apostle Paul, and the student who earnestly desires to advance beyond the rudiments of divine Science is wise if he takes advantage of present opportunities instead of bemoaning the past or looking to the future for redemption.

As one advances, he learns that he cannot begin too early in the day to rise above the mists which would obscure his vision, if he would hear the "Well done" at the close of the day and enter into the joy of well-earned rest. As his day, so shall his strength be, and he may readily prove for himself that the law of progress will never demand, even from the youngest worker, more than he can easily accomplish if he is actuated by a sincere, earnest desire to follow the true way. Patiently surmounting the hills of self-love and self-righteousness, and the valleys of self-pity and self-condemnation, the student of Christian Science eventually reaches a progressive point up the heights, where he obtains glorious glimpses of the spiritual universe. On the way up this steep ascent there is no time to waste in seeking for place and power; there is work enough for all, and each may earn and hold his rightful place without fear of criticism or monopoly.

Although every mountain of vain-glory must be finally leveled and every valley shall be exalted, as one advanced to higher planes of activity no hill will be too steep for him to climb safely, nor any valley too deep for him to struggle out of, if he keeps his thought turned steadfastly to the Horeb on whose summit stands the one who has fought the good fight and who, through precept and example, has made practical and demonstrable in this age a full salvation from all the ills that flesh is heir to. The degree to which each one is able, through the power of God, as revealed through Christian Science, "to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free," for himself and others, determines the status of his spiritual understanding, and there is no other way of registering true progress.