Article August 3, 1918 Issue

"A covert from storm and from rain"

BERNICE W. CARTER

It often happens that in taking up a new proposition in mathematics a student working faithfully to master and apply the rules laid down will find himself able to obtain the correct answer to the problems long before he really understands the basic law which the rules illustrate. He does his work mechanically, we may say, and seemingly expresses little real reasoning power; but there comes a day when, having, by strict adherence to rule, solved so many of his problems correctly, he suddenly, as if by revelation, finds the reason back of the rules, and so grasps the truth.

The analogy to this is found in the everyday life of the student of Christian Science. Convinced of the truth of the teaching—possibly through having witnessed seeming miracles as a result of it, through hearing testimonies of healing, or through reading the Christian Science literature, especially Mrs. Eddy's writings, or, as most frequently happens, through having been healed himself—he undertakes the real study of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." If honest with himself, he will apply what he learns as he learns it, and the immediate results will be to him like the golden glow of early morning, so colorful and soul-stirring as to remain in memory even after the sun has fully risen and perhaps been overcast with clouds.

One student recalls an experience which, although it occurred only a few months after she began the study of Christian Science, stands out even to-day as a milestone, a beacon—something to which she can revert in memory at any time and draw from it new lessons and fresh inspiration. From the very beginning of her study she realized that if Christian Science was to be anything at all to her it must be everything. If she was to give up her former concept of God,—which though limited and vague was still inexplicably near and dear to her,—it must be for a God who was indeed all-powerful, and available at all times and under all circumstances. She found in Science and Health the simplest of rules: "Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously" (p. 392); and, "When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, cling steadfastly to God and His idea" (p. 495). These she began to apply as best she could, taking a radical stand at each well-defined step of the way.

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