Editorial July 2, 1927 Issue

"Earth's preparatory school"

Albert F. Gilmore

Mrs. Eddy lays great stress upon the constant need of denying the claims of material sense in order to establish in consciousness the facts of being. She especially emphasizes the necessity of gaining spiritual understanding, which reveals man's true character and relationship with God. In this attainment "earth's preparatory school must be improved to the utmost," she declares on page 486 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." "Earth's preparatory school" is human experience.

Are we following the injunction of our Leader in improving to the utmost the opportunities presented to us for the gaining of spiritual knowledge and for proving the power over evil consequent upon such attainment? If not, how may we expect or deserve the rewards of faithful adherence to her precepts? It seems a truism that every mortal who turns to Christian Science for healing and solace is desirous of laying hold of spiritual truth. Yet it also seems that many are not ready or willing to yield the full allegiance to God and unqualified obedience to the demands of Science which bring the best results. "Earth's preparatory school" is not being utilized to the extent of its possibilities.

Mrs. Eddy's use of the term "earth's preparatory school" is a happy one. How complete the analogy between the school with its master, its rules and regulations, its pupils, and human experience! No school does its work of education without demanding obedience to its rules and close application on the part of the students to the lessons to be learned. No more may we expect to advance spiritually when disregarding the teachings of our Leader and the rules and methods of spiritual attainment. The unruly and indifferent pupil makes little progress in learning; so the disobedient—those who are holding to matter as real, finding pleasure in sensuality—make little if any progress in gaining the kingdom, with all its assured rewards of spiritual blessedness.

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