Editorial March 4, 1922 Issue

"Progress is the law of God"

Ella W. Hoag

When Mrs. Eddy stated in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 233) that "progress is the law of God," she stated unalterable truth. To the human sense it is a very simple thing to accept and understand, that in order to advance in any direction forward steps are necessary. This rule of progress, which is true from every standpoint of human endeavor, is no less true when applied to things spiritual. Spiritual growth is not a question of instantaneous attainment, but is brought about through the recognition, first of all, that progress must be the divine law of its unfoldment. Paul wrote, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after." Christian Scientists do not immediately divest themselves of all that is mortal; but through a constant, persistent acceptance of the necessity of steady growth in the attainment of Christian character, they gradually progress out of evil into the understanding and utilization of spiritual good.

The entire life of Christ Jesus—our perfect example—was one of progressive demonstration. Always following the Christ, our beloved Leader continually reached out for the rich possibility of a higher understanding of good, a greater capability of expression. While the truth was being revealed to her in Christian Science, her own ability to express it was constantly increasing, and her demonstration along this line was both natural and beautiful. She never hesitated to present it in clearer and clearer diction; and those who watched the gradual progress of the various editions of Science and Health, as well as of the Manual, could not fail to note how she, as a scribe under orders from the divine Mind, gave forth in greatest humility the continually clarifying elucidation of the revelation God had given to her.

Some Christian Scientists, who are failing to see the need of progress and its constant unfoldment under God's direction, seem to be clinging to the earlier editions of the writings of our Leader, with a strange belief that in doing so they are being truer to the revelation of Christian Science and to its revelator. Mrs. Eddy, however, continually left outgrown positions, to advance to those higher and more spiritual. So far as her writings are concerned, she has spoken very plainly in regard to the greater clarity and helpfulness of the more recent editions of them, as when she tells us in Miscellany (p. 237), under the heading "Take Notice": "What I wrote on Christian Science some twenty-five years ago I do not consider a precedent for a present student of this Science. The best mathematician has not attained the full understanding of the principle thereof, in his earliest studies or discoveries. Hence, it were wise to accept only my teachings that I know to be correct and adapted to the present demand."

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