Some people have seemed afraid to investigate Christian Science, so sure have they thought themselves that its teachings must be in some way dangerous. As Mrs. Eddy says on page 237 of Science and Health, "Some invalids are unwilling to know the facts or to hear about the fallacy of matter and its supposed laws. They devote themselves a little longer to their material gods, cling to a belief in the life and intelligence of matter, and expect this error to do more for them than they are willing to admit the only living and true God can do." This fear, this impatience, this unwillingness can be overcome, however, by the actual practice of Christian Science, for each one who is proving the efficacy of Principle for himself is demonstrating the one Principle which is for the benefit of all who rely upon it.

In family relationships one person is sometimes afraid to have another member of the family, a son or a daughter perhaps, investigate Christian Science and depend upon it for help in a case of suffering. Now the fact is that the genuine practice of Christian Science can do no harm and that any seeming failures have been due not to Christian Science but to lack of practice of Christian Science in accord with absolute Principle. Every glimpse of Christian Science, every thought and action based on its Principle, is an immense blessing to the seeker for health, happiness, and truth. Fear and reluctance must be be supplanted by the understanding that each one is free to express intelligence for himself in his reasoning about Life and in his application of this reasoning to his problems. To be afraid for some one else is not to be really helpful in one's thinking, for the true helpfulness, sympathy, and acceptance of responsibility must consist in expressing intelligence, which is always positive and fearless. Expressing intelligence is understanding and demonstrating that one infinite, divine intelligence governs man, despite and human seeming, whether this seeming be supposed to be good or bad.

People would be less afraid to investigate Christian Science if they knew from the outset that Christian Science really takes nothing away from any one, but gives the truth in place of any false sense of things. This truth is naturally far different from mere human concepts of what it may be or ought to be, but it is satisfying because it is broader than mortal beliefs. Christian Science does violence to nothing that ever has been really good, for the infinity of true Science, or demonstrable understanding of Principle, is not come to destroy but to fulfill through the "Spirit of truth." The belief in worldliness, or materiality, of course does not turn to this "Spirit of truth" but must give way to it, disappear even as an illusion, while man is revealed as forever knowing and rejoicing in Principle. For solid satisfaction one must depend on Mind, Spirit, not on matter, and the understanding of this fact involves continual gain, not loss.

On pages 1 and 2 of the Message for 1902 Mrs. Eddy says: "Whatever seems calculated to displace or discredit the ordinary systems of religious beliefs and opinions wrestling only with material observation, has always met with opposition and detraction; this ought not so to be, for a system that honors God and benefits mankind should be welcomed and sustained. While Christian Science, engaging the attention of philosopher and sage, is circling the globe, only the earnest, honest investigator sees through the mist of mortal strife this daystar, and whither it guides." Each one naturally desires to be an "earnest, honest investigator" and to prove in his daily experience the efficacy of all that is true. Willingness must, therefore, take the place of aversion or indifference, until all find out for themselves what Christian Science is, how it operates, and why it is effective to bring about health, happiness, and genuine success for those who veritably practice in accord with it.

In some cases people have heard only rumors and idle talk about Christian Science, reports of foolish statements, or accounts of cases in which study and treatment were supposed to fail. They need, then, more than ever to investigate Christian Science for themselves, because if all these adverse criticisms were true, Christian Science would never have endured. Even the casual observer must recognize the tremendous vitality which survives through all manner of malicious attacks. This vitality is the expression of absolute Principle, and its nature can be ascertained and demonstrated by all who are willing to investigate it honestly and persistently. Christian Science gives to the seeker constant encouragement in place of any sense of discouragement, even though it does overturn material beliefs, for it replaces these beliefs with spiritual sureness, revealing the way in which one may rely unerringly on infinite Mind for all good. "Because the Science of Mind," Mrs. Eddy says on page 483 of Science and Health, "seems to bring into dishonor the ordinary scientific schools, which wrestle with material observations alone, this Science has met with opposition; but if any system honors God, it ought to receive aid, not opposition, from all thinking persons." That Christian Science honors the one true God each one can prove for himself by putting aside human prejudices and preconceptions and being willing to turn to Principle with the simplicity of thought which is ever ready and eager to know the truth. Many who have seemed reluctant to consider what Christian Science presents to the world or to have their friends or relatives consider it need only a simple and unforced explanation to dispel their hesitation, and often the one who seems most antagonistic is merely being stirred to do the fundamental thinking that brings the quick acceptance of Principle, and its expression. Students of Christian Science can, therefore, be patient with antagonism or indifference to Christian Science, because they know that the divine Mind with its idea is indeed all there is, and must sooner or later be accepted by all as the basis of immortal vigor and harmony.

Gustavus S. Paine.