Article April 8, 1933 Issue

Q. E. D. or Proof Positive

[Written Especially for Young People]

GRACE E. PINNEY

When first we learned that two and two is four, the intricacies of mathematics were by no means comprehended; neither can the depths of Christian Science be revealed when first we learn "the scientific statement of being," given by Mrs. Eddy on page 468 of her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." As we advanced in the study of mathematics we saw that we could accept many statements as true long before we had sufficient understanding to prove them for ourselves. Just so, in Christian Science we acknowledge the truth of all it teaches, but the only part that as yet is really ours is that which we have proved or demonstrated. Mrs. Eddy has said on page 323 of Science and Health, "We must recollect that Truth is demonstrable when understood, and that good is not understood until demonstrated."

How natural it is when given a new textbook to glance through it to see what we have to learn. In it we see rules and statements that may seem to us almost impossible to accept. But as each problem is worked out in its proper order, how simple the apparently impossible ones become when reached! On page 52 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy says, "What progress would a student of science make, if, when tired of mathematics or failing to demonstrate one rule readily, he should attempt to work out a rule farther on and more difficult—and this, because the first rule was not easily demonstrated?" Should we not, in dealing with our problems in Christian Science, demonstrate the rules which apply to the problems that come to us each day before trying to understand those which seem to us more difficult?

If we have worked at a problem in mathematics for some time, and seem unable to solve it alone, we seek the help of someone who has a more advanced understanding. So, as students of Christian Science, we sometimes take our problem to a practitioner, expecting him to help us to see our way out of the difficulty, in order that we may find the solution more easily.

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