Article March 11, 1933 Issue

Education

LESLIE C. BELL

BEFORE beginning to study Christian Science a schoolteacher had failed to get any true understanding of the word "educate." It was known to be derived from the Latin e, meaning "out," and ducere, "to lead," therefore, literally meaning to lead out. This, however, failed to satisfy the teacher. The question constantly presented itself, What is there already in the child or pupil that can be led out? Surely something must be put into thought before it can be led out. There was, consequently, always a worrying effort on his part to make his teaching a continuous putting in of knowledge which, presumably, might be led out.

After studying "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy for a while, the teacher's understanding unfolded so that the true meaning of education became somewhat clearer. It was seen that, far from putting in anything, education does indeed stand for a leading out, not the leading out of a store of material facts, but the leading out of the human thought from false material beliefs to an understanding of real spiritual facts, from material bondage to heavenly freedom, just as, centuries ago, the Israelites were led out of captivity in Egypt, which typifies the earthly so-called pleasures and possessions, to the promised land, typifying real spiritual happiness. In this comparison it is interesting to note that "exodus" (from the Greek ex, meaning "out," and hodos, meaning "way") means a "way out," while education is "the leading out." Moses truly educated the Israelites! What a great teacher he was, to lead out the Israelites in the right way, through the Red Sea, across the wilderness, to within sight of the "land flowing with milk and honey"!

It was seen, then, that one has to be led out from the belief of life in matter to the understanding that Spirit is All-in-all. One has to be turned from false beliefs to true facts, and be taught that all the beautiful attributes of Spirit are really ours, for in our true identity we are spiritual, the reflection of Spirit, God. It was further realized that nothing has to be put in that it may be led out. All that is real is already and eternally in true consciousness, and has to be brought into expression through the realization of the eternal and beautiful truth.

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