When mortals take their initial steps in the way of Christian Science demonstration, the first object, generally, is to get something, either for themselves or for their dear ones. To declare the truth as revealed in Christian Science and then to see this declaration of truth manifested even in a small degree in improved human conditions, seems marvelous and gladsome, and we begin to realize that we have indeed discovered the "pearl of great price,"—an entrance to all good through the declaration of the goodness and omnipotence of God and the perfection of His spiritual creation. If this were all there is to the process of Christian Science demonstration, it would be easy to persuade all men to subscribe to the teachings of a wonderful religious system by which heaven would be attained at a bound, but there are many things yet to be learned and done ere heaven is achieved.

First, we declare God to be good and omnipotent and man to be His perfect image and likeness. Right here a great spiritual demand is made upon us, and if we do not recognize it and at least begin to comply with it, our demonstration may fail and we may meet with surprise and disappointment. We declare that man is God's image and likeness, knowing that God is good and that His goodness is omnipotent. If, then, man reflects omnipotent goodness, it behooves the student of Christian Science to live up to what he has declared about man. Simply to declare the truth and then to live contrary to this declaration will not bring about desired results. Not only must a man live up to his own declaration, but he must consistently endeavor to know the truth about his fellow man, no matter what material evidence may argue to the contrary.

As we go on with our Christian Science work we make another discovery, and it is that the attainment of spiritual good calls for the giving up, to a greater or less extent, of the material sense of good. Much depends upon the relative value which we place upon things. Our progress should constantly lead to the giving up of that which materially seems good for that which is better,—which is more conducive to the universal good; and this in time will be given up for a still higher concept of good as we rise in the scale of being. There is oftentimes a willingness to give up much, and yet an unwillingness to give up some sin which may be one of the little foxes that spoil the vine, and until we are willing to make the full sacrifice demanded by Principle, the good which we desire may be delayed.

The writer, at the time of taking up this Science, was engaged in writing fiction. This occupation seemed harmless enough until the possibility of entering into a work which meant greater good appealed to her; then the fiction writing was promptly put aside. This decision was not, however, arrived at without a struggle. Mortal mind argued that a style of fiction could be written which by its very nature would lead to an investigation of the subject of Christian Science. The seemingly laudable argument that persons who would not read Christian Science literature would read a more or less carefully veiled exposition of the teachings if presented in the form of fiction, was carefully considered and put aside with the realization that truth is stronger if "stranger than fiction," and that divine Mind governs. She saw that mortals do not need to be led through bypaths of imagination in order that they may be brought into the straight and narrow way of Truth and induced to walk therein. Nevertheless, like Ananias of old, she kept back a part of the sacrificial purchase price of her own salvation. Carefully stowed away as a precious treasure was the printed product of her efforts in this line of work, and now and then these were reviewed with secret delight. For more than three years this practice was kept up, and for this same length of time one distressing form of sickness kept presenting its claim to reality and power to torment. After the destruction of the hoarded literature, however, this disease disappeared in three days. With the disappearance of the physical disease came a great spiritual uplift, and an understanding of Truth which was more to be desired than the physical healing.

Motive is of the utmost importance in our effort to demonstrate spiritual good in human affairs. If, when the sacrifice of this literature was made, it had been done with an expectation of good for self, the same results might not have been attained; but the motive being the desire to do right for right's sake, without any sense of bargaining for reward, lo! an unexpected return for sacrifice made, far greater than the recipient would have dared to hope for.

In the twentieth chapter of Matthew is recorded the parable of the rich man who hired laborers for his vineyard. Some entered at the first hour, bargaining for a penny a day. Others entered, some at the third, some at the ninth, and some even at the eleventh hour; but each received at the end of the day a penny for his labor. This seemed to the writer at one time a very unjust proceeding, until the needed lesson was unfolded to her understanding, namely, the necessity for the performance of our duty with singleness of heart, leaving the reward to be determined by Him whom we serve.

It is not only the conscious but the unconscious withholding of the purchase price which delays the achievement of good. It behooves us to search our thought carefully, and to pray earnestly that the lurking selfishness and the subtle false sense of good be uncovered and exposed in order that it may be cast out to make room for the entrance of the bridegroom, of Truth and Love. Self-righteousness is a very insidious form of error. The sinner who knows himself as such is better prepared for the coming of Truth than the individual whose conduct appears blameless, but whose life may be productive of little or no positive good in the world. When the awakening comes and the searchlight of Truth is turned inward upon such a state of consciousness, one's selfcomplacency is liable to receive a shock; for inaction is but a form of unwholesome stagnation, while the activities of Spirit are positive, and they bring forth fruit after their kind. A negative form of goodness lacks the unction of power which characterized the Master's positive statement, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

On page 457 of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," our Leader tells us: "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." Jesus voiced the same truth when he said, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon," and Mrs. Eddy summed up man's duty in a few words when she said on page 183 of Science and Health: "Divine Mind rightly demands man's entire obedience, affection, and strength. No reservation is made for any lesser loyalty. Obedience to Truth gives man power and strength. Submission to error superinduces loss of power."