Article March 25, 1916 Issue

Study Made Practical

ERNEST C. MOSES

Two farmers were discussing crop conditions, and one complainingly said, "I read nearly every book on agriculture that I can lay my hands on, and yet I do not get good crops." The other farmer, more wise and practical in his methods, replied, "That is the cause of your trouble; you put the cultivation all on yourself rather than on your land." William Penn has said that men agree that happiness is desirable, "but in the means of securing it they differ, and the cause is much the same,—not always want of light and knowledge, but want of using them rightly." So many fail to make progress in their relations with the work of the world because they do not make good use of what they know and have. It is the same false claim which Jesus rebuked in the parable of the talents. Those who made good use of their possessions were commended for wisdom and fidelity; the slothful servant, because he did not use his one talent, it entirely and received neither reward nor commendation from his Lord.

Students of Christian Science need to guard against the habit of reading the Bible, also "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" and the other writings of our Leader, with a merely intellectual interest, and against being lulled into an apathetic indifference to the necessity of demonstrating the divine Principle of Christian Science. One may think that reading bestows an understanding because he assents to the logical statements of truth presented in Mrs. Eddy's writings; but this is not always so. On page 323 of our text-book we read: "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." The constant demand of Principle is, "Prove me now herewith." It is always "now," and there is always opportunity to demonstrate the loving readiness and power of God to meet our every need and the need of all who thirst for the waters of a better life than materiality affords.

Paul doubtless spent many years of his early life in the study of the Old Testament and scholastic theology, and became quite learned thereby. After he had learned to love and apply the teachings of Jesus, out of the depths of spiritual experience he contrasted his old method of seeking the truth with his new, in his statement to the Corinthians that his preaching "was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." He had discerned that "the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life," and this is preeminently true in acquiring an understanding of Christian Science.

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