Article March 20, 1920 Issue

Reading

LAURA DUNBAR HAGARTY

Prayer and meditation are sources of mental food for the student of Christian Science. Another productive source of mental nourishment is the reading of Christian Science literature, which, of course, includes the Bible. The reading process itself varies so greatly in individuals that it is not surprising to find a wide range of results from the study of the printed page. Doctor Brumbaugh's definition exactly describes the adequate process. He says, "Reading is thinking the line of thought established by the author." To brush aside prejudice, disparagement, and antagonism before opening the book is to accomplish something; but the real attainment is to rouse the thought to active assimilation of what is read, by correcting subtler barriers, such as wandering attention, lethargic grasp of the meaning, or feeble application of that meaning to the reader's life.

Earnestly to "think the line of thought established by the author" when reading the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, and to continue such work daily is to promote a liberal spiritual education. Such work involves training of inestimable value, for the process is twofold; first, the language in its usual significance must be grasped; second, the mist of materialism must be pierced and one must consciously enter the realm of Spirit. It is the second aspect that gives to reading in Christian Science its supreme importance in cultivating spirituality. This accomplishment accounts for the fact that Christian Scientists can read their textbook daily for half a century and still find no monotony, no dull repetition, no flagging interest; for the "line of thought established by the author" is cast in the realm of infinite Mind, and every excursion into that realm reveals new fields of endeavor and new joys. To the sincere seeker the interval since the last excursion has furnished experiences that give additional import to the author's words. It is safe to say that such living response will continue for all time to invest Mrs. Eddy's words with freshness and increasing power of appeal.

Far removed from the perfunctory scansion of the page is the reading that progress in Christian Science demands. To restrict the operation to the mental pronunciation of the words is to gain nothing whatever. The operation, to be productive, must give ascendancy to spiritual sense, which alone interprets the language of Spirit to the human mind. Without consecrated fidelity to the text, misinterpretations creep into thought, afterwards to vaunt themselves in disagreements and dissensions among those who really desire unity of understanding and action. A fact which gives to earnest study a most significant bearing is that each endeavor approximates more closely the goal of complete understanding. On page 349 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes, "Mortal thought does not at once catch the higher meaning, and can do so only as thought is educated up to spiritual apprehension."

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