Article August 20, 1927 Issue

Right Education

ANNA LAURA HITCHCOCK

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 195) Mrs. Eddy writes, "Academics of the right sort are requisite." Because in many instances what we call scholarship has seemed synonymous with a cold intellectualism that is by no means conducive to spiritual understanding, are we not inclined to overlook this plain statement of our Leader, even to brush it aside with a half doubt as to whether she really meant what she said about "academics"? A careful study of the context, however, beginning with the paragraph under the marginal heading "Useful knowledge," will banish any uncertainty as to her meaning; for there is no ambiguity in the terms that she employs to elucidate her thought. She affirms that certain forms of learning are to be deplored as worse than useless, while right education is promotive of "the growth of mortal mind out of itself, out of all that is mortal." This right education, then, must be a part of the heritage awaiting all who turn to Christian Science in their quest for freedom from the thralldom of material sense.

The student of Christian Science sometimes entertains a fear lest the pursuit of education should becloud spiritual understanding, become an end in itself, and so beguile him from the straight path Spiritward. It has been said that "one's object in seeking an education should be to think his way freely and clearly to the unfoldment of his own full individuality." Need anyone fear that education sought from such a motive will hamper his spiritual progress? Will it not rather result in added usefulness in the Cause so dear to every Christian Scientist, a more intelligent and selfless cooperation with fellow workers, a sincere humility, which recognizes no wisdom apart from God? As one's mental outlook expands through the unfoldment of his true individuality, the petty and personal are supplanted by the concept of a universal brotherhood in which self-seeking has no place. Right education inculcates a desire for order in all the affairs of life, as well as a patient willingness to strive for accuracy and truthfulness in the minutiæ of all one's activities; for we learn that perfection must be manifested in the trifles as well as in the greater things.

And we need not seek far afield for opportunities for this unfoldment. An earnest and alert student of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings should gain, together with that understanding of the truths of being which is the prime object of his study, an ever increasing ability in the use of words. The speech of such a student will often manifest a dignity, grace, and accuracy that has been unknown to it before. All of our periodicals, with their clear, concise diction, are helpful in this process of unfoldment; and from the point of view of "academics," The Christian Science Monitor has an educational value that can hardly be overrated. Constructive in purpose, cosmopolitan in viewpoint, and genial in tone, it combines the qualities of an ideal instructor. Its every issue provides a wealth of interesting and instructive reading, which gives authentic and specialized information on topics of universal interest. Do we partake freely of the bounty offered to all mankind by this daily newspaper? Possibly many of us may feel that our knowledge of history, art, literature, and other subjects touched upon in the Monitor's special articles, is not adequate to an intelligent reading of them; yet each of us can surely find in the various sections of the Monitor some point of contact, something that touched his own interests and experience. Let us read to-day some such article, even though it may require a bit of serious application; to-morrow the reading of one on the same or a related subject will have an added interest. With only a slight increase from day to day in the amount as well as the subject matter of our Monitor reading, may we not expect in even a week's time a perceptible expansion in our interests and outlook, marking a step, at least, in our progress toward that world viewpoint to which the Monitor is so valiantly striving to lift its readers?

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
God Guides
August 20, 1927
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit