Article October 21, 1922 Issue

Progress

W. A. GILCHRIST

Before taking up the study of Christian Science, queries of this nature would frequently occur to me: What is the meaning of existence? Where does it lead, if indeed it leads anywhere but to annihilation? What is there that endures? What is the greatest good to be accomplished, and where does the way lie? What constitutes progress? It was all too evident that the great majority of mankind were striving for things that proved to be but baubles, things that, when won, brought no abiding joy, no peace,—in fact, too often the reverse.

Those who are not students of Christian Science sometimes regard with contempt the term "Science" when associated with the term "Christian," believing any and every religion to be a misstatement, since they hold any and every religion to be hypothetical and nonscientific. The dictum of to-day is, however, often reversed to-morrow by scholars. Medical science is an example of this. The remedies at one time prescribed for an ailment are often considered, at a later date, not only useless, but harmful. The ostensible object of medical science is to secure health to the people by preventing and curing disease; but after about four thousand years of so-called progress in this science, the last state appears to be much the same as the first. Einstein, an eminent natural scientist, is to-day propounding a theory whereby time and space are eliminated, both of which have hitherto been regarded and dealt with as realities by most people.

Before becoming a student of Christian Science I held the mental position that the developing of a good character was the only real progress possible to man; that there was always a right or a wrong course which might be pursued, and that in every instance it paid to choose the right one. Later, I found there was much more to be said on the question. When, a few years ago, a friend of mine was cured by Christian Science of what was called an incurable disease, I became interested in Christian Science; and, after studying it for a short time, searched Mrs. Eddy's works to learn what she had to say on the subject of progress. Her teaching was a wonderful illumination and revelation. I shall never forget my first reading of the lines from "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 181): "Progress is spiritual. Progress is the maturing conception of divine Love; it demonstrates the scientific, sinless life of man and mortal's painless departure from matter to Spirit, not through death, but through the true idea of Life,—and Life not in matter but in Mind." At last I had found an absolute statement of what progress is, positively opening the way to continual advancement and unfoldment.

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