Article August 12, 1922 Issue

Practicing the Truth

HELEN P. FIELD

On page 76 of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says: "Suffering, sinning, dying beliefs are unreal. When divine Science is universally understood, they will have no power over man, for man is immortal and lives by divine authority." When we pause to consider why divine Science is not already "universally understood," the answer comes in Mrs. Eddy's own words on page 174 of the same book: "Truth is revealed. It needs only to be practised." The importance to humanity of the work that each one of us can do in practicing the truth is here apparent. To be faithful in season and out of season to what we know to be true, to resist the temptation to have other gods, even in ways that seem of small importance, is to speed the day when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

One evening, my niece came in with a problem in geometry which she had been unable to solve, thinking some member of the family might be able to help her. As I was the only one who was at home at the time, I undertook to give the desired assistance. It was so long since I had even thought of geometry that the question seemed unfamiliar enough to begin with; but after a few moments of study, light began to come. There were suggestions for a solution accompanying the problem, but I found that I was unable to use them because I had not proved, and consequently did not comprehend, the propositions which were there taken for granted; and I soon saw that it would be necessary to go back to simpler problems, and work my way step by step up to the understanding that was required for this particular solution. When this had been done, I was able to give a clear and helpful explanation; and the problem was worked out readily. In thinking of the experience afterwards, I recognized that if I had been daily practicing what I had previously learned of geometry, if I had been habitually thinking in terms of geometry, I should have been able to solve the problem at once. Nevertheless, it was evident that a solution was possible,—and possible to me,—if I were willing to take the required steps; and I did not become impatient or discouraged because I had to spend some time taking these steps, appreciating that this necessity was due to my being out of practice.

I saw how this is also true of our work in Christian Science. If we are daily faithful in practicing what we know of Christian Science, then we are thinking scientifically; and the solution of any problem that may be presented in our experience is at hand. Sometimes our problems are not so readily worked out as we might wish; and this is often because we have been careless thinkers, not faithfully adhering to what we understand. Then we have to take over again the steps that have been already taken, but not held. To be helpful to others, we must have a demonstrable understanding. We can illuminatingly impart only what we have actually proved. When we are constantly demonstrating Christian Science, even if it be in very small ways, we are doing our part toward bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth.

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