What the Christian Science movement needs to-day is more working Christian Scientists,—those who have attained a degree of spiritual understanding and can consistently say that they are "in Christian Science." It is the worker who takes the statements of truth, meditates upon them, and makes them his own by proving them demonstrable. The believer reads about Christian Science, accepts what appeals to his sense of things, but lacks the inspiration to prove the truth of what he believes. It is this state of mentality that too often finds its way to the practitioner to work for it, and perhaps murmurs because of its slow progress.

Believing Christian Scientists are rapidly coming into our churches, while the percentage of real workers is smaller than it should be. In order to avoid unnecessary experiences and to protect the church from the growing wave of popularity, the standard for church membership must constantly be guarded. The indulgence of habits incompatible with a Christian life should be honestly dealt with and mastered prior to seeking membership in the Christian Science church. Those who love the Cause of Christian Science with their whole hearts will do all in their power to conquer for themselves and for others the depraved appetite for all kinds of drink and narcotics, as a fit preparation for assuming the responsibilities of church membership. A degrading habit that never did and never will accomplish any good for men or women is no part of morality or religion. The sooner it is excluded from one's concept of Christian Science, the sooner will this one find himself in Christian Science.

How long have you been in Christian Science? is a question often put to students of this Science. It may be easy to reply that they have been in Science for a certain number of years; but upon second thought, they are inclined to say that they have been on the way for a long time, but are not yet quite in. It is no small accomplishment to be in Christian Science. Strange as it may seem, there are some who think they are full-fledged Christian Scientists because they have ceased taking drugs in time of sickness. Others, after a casual reading of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, will tell you that they understand it perfectly and, of course, are ready to be called Christian Scientists! Still others will attend a Christian Science lecture, and because they believe every statement made by the lecturer, they too are Christian Scientists! Then there are some who will read a copy of The Christian Science Journal or the Christian Science Sentinel, attend a few church services, and, behold, they are one of us!

Let no one imagine that he can easily and quickly, without trials and persecutions, become a Christian Scientist. The title of "Christian Scientist" is not bestowed upon any one who is not working and earning his way into the kingdom. Let us seriously consider this question, What does it really signify to be in Christian Science? Is it a task to be accomplished in an hour, a day, a week, or even years? It is the experience of Christian Science teachers that students of many years' standing are sometimes less receptive to truth and assimilate far less of their class instruction than some who have studied for only a few years. There are varying degrees of spiritual receptivity, and of practical application of what one grasps. Those who diligently apply what they learn to the solution of daily human problems are rapidly finding their way into Christian Science. Every demonstration of good over evil is one necessary step towards the coveted goal. Simple profession—"faith without works"—never entered the sacred precincts of spiritual understanding. Many believe in Truth, but do not at once grasp the practical side of Christian Science. In order to get into Christian Science one must make use of what he believes to be true, else he will not actually come to know Truth. Our Leader, in Science and Health (p. 83), warns us against superficial beliefs when she says, "Nothing is more antagonistic to Christian Science than a blind belief without understanding, for such a belief hides Truth and builds on error."

A seeker is really in Christian Science—is really a Christian Scientist—when he is in Christ, that is, when he is constantly expressing the righteousness of Christ Jesus; when he is reflecting the same consciousness, thinking the same thoughts, and doing the same works that Jesus did. He is in Christian Science when he has enlisted as a full-fledged soldier of the cross, consecrated to the cause of righteousness, in full sympathy with every righteous effort to overcome evil with good. He is in Christian Science when he is actually doing unto others as he would have them do unto him; and above all things, when he is loving his neighbor as himself, instead of loading him down with unfriendly criticism and condemnation. He is in Christian Science only to the extent that he is striving to be Christlike, loving and kind, acting always from the standpoint of divine Principle, never from the impulse of finite personality.

Every wide-awake student of Christian Science knows that it is impossible for an unregenerated mortal to enter the kingdom of heaven. Strictly speaking, a mortal undisciplined by self-denial never really gets into Christian Science. He may nibble at it from time to time, and even imagine that it is pleasant to the taste; but that which is mortal can never really reach a spiritual goal. We must put off much of the "old man" before we can awaken to a spiritual sense of life. As Paul says: "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you."

As depravity disappears and moral qualities—to which the demands of God make their insistent appeal—are accepted, one begins to put on the "new man," to realize and experience the kingdom of heaven at hand. Through further spiritualization of thought spiritual understanding is reached, when one can consistently say that he is "in Christian Science."

Copyright, 1924, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.