Editorial May 21, 1921 Issue

How to Read

Gustavus S. Paine

IN the study of Christian Science it is especially wise to follow Bacon's advice: "Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider." If a student clings to his prejudices and preconceptions while he thinks he is investigating the subject, he will advance less rapidly than if he gives really intelligent attention to the truth presented. If he skims through Mrs. Eddy's works with little reasoning on his own part, he can experience at the best but a superficial sense of satisfaction. As Mrs. Eddy says on page 147 of Science and Health, "Although this volume' contains the complete Science of Mind-healing, never believe that you can absorb the whole meaning of the Science by a simple perusal of this book. The book needs to be studied, and the demonstration of the rules of scientific healing will plant you firmly on the spiritual groundwork of Christian Science." Christian Science is no fad to be taken up just as a diversion from boredom or as an easy subject for light social conversation; to prove it in practice one must be thorough and consecrated in the study.

Yet true consecration in the reading of Christian Science literature is neither an intense nor a dull and plodding process. As the student progresses, he learns something of what the real animation of Life is, his reading becomes a vital part of his living in accord with the divine Life, and he finds ever new and interesting education in the very reasoning as to the metaphysical nature of God and spiritual man. By giving eager attention to the truth unfolded through Christian Science, one gains the keenest enjoyment there could possibly be, as well as the healing which he is seeking. The right kind of study is an active, not a passive, experience, in that it requires not only receptivity but energetic devotion of thought to the subject. Each one who turns to his reading with real spiritual energy of desire is blessed beyond measure.

Early in his new work on "Modern Democracies" Lord Bryce remarks that "in these days of ours reading has become a substitute for thinking," and a few paragraphs later he declares that "reading is merely a gate leading into the field of knowledge. Or we may call it an implement which the hand can use for evil, or for good, or leave unused." Words, sentences, paragraphs, or articles that we read in the literature of Christian Science must give impulse to right reasoning on our part in order that we may benefit by them. There is no special virtue in the perusal of articles just in the hope that one may unconsciously absorb from them some unknown balm. The really beneficial study is a thoroughly conscious activity which involves the full vim of our most intelligent efforts. Whenever healing comes about through the presentation of Christian Science in effective language, it is because of just so much fresh spiritual comprehension on the part of the seeker. The whole purpose of reading is that one may comprehend and make use of essential meaning.

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