Editorial July 10, 1915 Issue

Advancing Steps

Annie M. Knott

It is of the utmost importance to all students of Christian Science that they ponder the question of their own progress and watch carefully their thoughts, words, and deeds, in order to see whether they are advancing toward a fuller realization of the kingdom of God, with its perfect harmony. The sooner they unreservedly admit to themselves that nothing can hold them back, even in belief, except it be their own assent to the arguments of error, the better it will be for them. On page 513 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy says, "Advancing spiritual steps in the teeming universe of Mind lead on to spiritual spheres and exalted beings." It is therefore well for us to ask ourselves very often whether we are taking the steps thus indicated, and laying hold upon the glorious things which mortal eye hath not seen or ear heard, but which we are assured "God hath prepared for them that love him."

Advancing steps of course imply that we are leaving behind us certain things, and always for the reason that we desire and are seeking better things. Even on the material plane, the one who aspires to be rich and who is willing to put forth the needed effort, leaves behind him the sense of poverty and limitation, and the same is true of the one who strives to attain knowledge. It should be noted here that the things left behind are negative, hence unreal from the Christian Science standpoint. It cannot be denied that poverty and ignorance are negative conditions, but they, unfortunately, seem to usurp the place of realities. Moreover, they continue to do so until some advancing steps are taken in the realm of Mind, where each possibility of good merges into an assured fact.

The Christian Scientist begins by getting away from the bondage of disease and fear, and the next step is to advance beyond the enslaving tendencies of material sense and sin. St. Paul puts it simply yet forcefully when he says that we were once "far off," but that we have been brought nigh to God and His Christ, which shows that we have taken some of the advancing steps demanded by divine Truth. The sins left behind are various in their deceitful claim to place and power, yet never once do they possess reality, or are they ever any part of man's true being. Malice, hate, and impurity at times may seem to obscure the vision of man as God's idea, and self-righteousness, a base counterfeit of goodness, ofttimes shuts out the light which is greatly needed for progress ; but now, even as at the side of the Red sea, Truth's bidding is, "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward." On page 536 of Science and Health we are told that the sea typifies a mental state which is "tempesttossed," and is "advancing and receding," but in marked contrast with this state is presented that other in which "the divine understanding reigns, is all, and there is no other consciousness." There can be no backward steps when the true understanding of God is gained.

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