Editorial June 8, 1912 Issue

"HE THAT SEEKETH FINDETH"

Archibald McLellan

Christian Scientists have become such largely because they have had proved for them the availability of righteous prayer as the most efficient means of healing the sick, and from this starting-point they have progressed to a knowledge and understanding of God which they have found to be the only trustworthy guide for human action and endeavor. They have found that through the practice of this knowledge and understanding "whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes" (Science and Health, p. 340) must be and is being annihilated; and that to the extent to which they apply this knowledge of God to their every-day affairs, are they and the whole world blessed.

Mrs. Eddy taught this in her classes, through her writings, and ever sought to impress its truth in her conversation with those who were brought into immediate contact with her. She believed implicitly the saying, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you," and she taught her students and followers to believe it as implicitly as she did. Her seeking of the kingdom included much study of the Scriptures, and she tells us in Science and Health that for three years after her discovery of Christian Science she read little else. In this constant, persistent, and prayerful study of the Bible she set a splendid example to her students, for those who would emulate her understanding and demonstration of divine Science.

It has been the experience of the oldest and most successful students of Christian Science that systematic daily study of the Bible and Science and Health is a necessary preliminary to the proper practice and demonstration of this Science, and it cannot be too strongly urged upon all students—whether old or new—that this daily study be not neglected. We find in every line of human endeavor that the successful person is the one who has most thoroughly prepared himself for the task to be performed, and the rule is the same whether the task comprises mental or manual labor. On page 495 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy answers the question, "How can I progress most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science," in part as follows: "Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit." This answer implies that there is no royal road to the complete understanding of divine Science, and that progress is made only through the understanding which comes from faithful study.

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