Article March 8, 1930 Issue

The Open Book

MABEL REED HYZER

"He had in his hand a little book open." Thus did the Revelator write of the angel whom he saw in his vision, the angel which Mrs. Eddy says in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 558), "prefigures divine Science." On the next page our Leader further points out that the "little book" was "open for all to read and understand." What a blessing for all of us is contained in this last statement!

Sometimes we may feel that we have worked over a problem for a long time without apparent success; and the situation may present a discouraging aspect. But if we will but begin to realize the significance of the open book, we shall be able to proceed with joyous conviction toward the solution of any problem. Students of Christian Science are familiar with Mrs. Eddy's long labor to produce this wonderful textbook, which makes an open book of our beloved Bible. Children read and daily demonstrate the statements in the textbook, with apt readiness and sure conviction applying and relating them to the teachings of the Bible. And if we older students fail readily to grasp the teachings of Christian Science, it may be because we are making our work too laborious, lacking in inspiration and prayer for guidance. It is conscientious, joyful study that makes demonstration possible under all circumstances. A laborious attitude is discouraging rather than inspiring, and often hinders the student's progress.

Reluctance to pursue the daily study of the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly, or neglect of the use of the Concordances to the Bible and to all of Mrs. Eddy's writings, may come about through lack of the joy of study and demonstration. To read the Lesson-Sermon merely from a severe sense of duty, with rigid intensity, is like pulling down the blinds and excluding the sunlight, when sunlight is most desired. One may say, I find I cannot concentrate on the Lessons. Nothing was ever less needed than a state called "concentration," if that word is used in the sense of bringing the faculties into submission by the effort of willpower. Do we not eagerly open and read every letter from a loved friend? Our study of all the Lesson-Sermons should be approached with like eagerness and inspiration; and so it will be when the vision of the open book is predominant in our thinking.

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