Article September 25, 1937 Issue

Systematic Study

[Written Especially for Young People]

ARTHUR J. TODD

A Young student of Christian Science asked recently, "Why do some people grow in understanding while others do not?" A somewhat similar question was answered by Mrs. Eddy, with her characteristic directness, when she said that the way to make most rapid progress in understanding Christian Science is to "study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 495).

Obviously these ends cannot be attained by haphazard, sporadic dashes of effort, but by steady, methodical, systematic work. Mortal mind, however, would present many arguments against such persistent, systematic work. For example, would present the temptation to believe that spiritual power and understanding come by inspiration alone and depend upon unpredictable moods and not upon study; that studying "the letter" may result in mere verbal grasp of truth; that systematic work mechanizes religion and destroys spontaneity; that religion should always yield a feeling of joy without any sense of duty, task, or routine; that there is not enough time to devote to thorough study.

We must be alert to the fact that mortal mind hates and fears scientific truth, and does all it can to save itself from destruction. Hence, the subtlety and multiplicity of its attempts to mesmerize us into indolence, complacent acceptance of half-learned truth, and excuse for our lack of growth. But we must always remember that "error is a coward before Truth" (ibid., p. 368), and that its show of cleverness is a flimsy veil of pretense—nothing more. We can dismiss all these arguments against steady, thorough work for what they are, namely, lies. Then we are free to follow the high calling of God in Christian Science.

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