Article December 17, 1932 Issue

Appreciative Study of the Textbooks

KATE D. GRANT POHL

Frequently students of Christian Science are asked why they spend so much time reading the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. "You must know them by heart," is often the comment.

A musician will readily agree that he loves to hear the great symphonies, even though he knows them well enough to play a part in them on his own instrument. As the triumphant tones arouse him to an appreciation of superb music, so the grand and glorious words of Truth, as given in the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, arouse the reader to a reverent appreciation of God and His creation. And even as the musician loves to hear the masterpieces of music again and again, so the Christian Scientist loves to read and reread the textbooks which set forth the truth about God, man, and the universe. Such reading inspires one to worship God "in spirit and in truth;" it enables him to lay aside something of material sense and hypocrisy; to stop hating and begin loving; to replace complaining with rejoicing, and to cease talking of evil and practice speaking of that which is good.

The man or woman struggling with the turmoil of the day's work and worry seeks sanctuary in reading these books, which assure him that, in the words of the Psalmist, "God is our refuge and strength," and that, as Mrs. Eddy shows us (Science and Health, p. 480), "Consciousness, as well as action, is governed by Mind,—is in God, the origin and governor of all that Science reveals." Words such as these steady right endeavors and encourage one's efforts towards higher and holier living.

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