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.

Christian Science transforms human thinking, not with the violence of dynamite, but gradually, as with leaven. Citizenship in the kingdom of heaven is not an honor conferred by some whimsical divinity; it is earned. Earning means learning. Spiritual consciousness is attained by study and practice. There is no final, far-off day of judgment for which men are made ready by some miracle, by heavenly grace or substitutionary sacrifice, for as our Leader declares (ibid., p. 291), "The judgment-day of wisdom comes hourly and continually."

It is significant that Jesus, the Way-shower, was always prepared to meet every test. For many years before his baptism and the opening of his ministry he had been about his Father's business. Just before the beginning of his active ministry he spent forty days in the wilderness wrestling with various attempts of material belief to dull his vision of his true selfhood and his mission. Before healing the epileptic boy he had had the experience of the transfiguration. Before raising Lazarus he had spent several days in such exalted communion with God that even at the mouth of the grave he could thank his Father that He had already heard him, that is, confirmed his faith and understanding. Before his final triumph he had so lifted his thought that he could meet the indignities and barbarism of the crucifixion and overcome the age-heavy belief of death. Mere spurts of effort on his part could not have conferred such understanding and dominion. Only prayer without ceasing and steadfast holding to Truth made Jesus master over the whole array of the world's errors.

The apostolic writings are full of injunctions to mankind to build up Christian character by constant practice and exercise. St. Paul's imagery, frequently borrowed from athletics and sports, is vigorous. He speaks of study, exercise, wrestling, fighting the good fight, running a good race, finishing the course, pressing toward the goal for the prize which God awards to those who prove faithful. Much emphasis is laid in the Scriptures upon persistence and right building up of spiritual consciousness and character. Peter, for example, exhorts the progressive building up of Christian character from faith by adding goodness, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, piety, the spirit of brotherhood, and love.

Mrs. Eddy, too, uses vigorous words to convey the same lesson: verbs like exercise, practice, strive, demonstrate; nouns like persistence, perseverance, struggle. But more than that she emphasizes the need for systematic work, study, not mere perusal of the Bible and her writings. To make assurance doubly sure she set down in the Manual of The Mother Church three rules for daily work, namely, "A Rule for Motives and Acts," the "Daily Prayer," and the injunction "Alertness to Duty" (Art. VIII, Sects. 1, 4, 6). Christian Science makes no appeal to the lazy. Discipline, work, and still more work! But what joyous rewards for working! Health, peace, freedom, right occupation, satisfying human companionship, release of human capacities—all these come as evidences of a growing understanding of God and man.

Christian Science study is therefore not a burden, not another course added to an already heavy load, but an opportunity to learn how not to bend under the load. Thereby practicing to keep in condition, watching one's thought, becomes interesting.

Our purpose in studying Christianly scientific truth is not to pile up academic credits, but to gain the power of demonstration. We are working towards no merely honorific title or degree, but for the title and status of the immortal child of the Father-Mother God. Therefore we manifest no false pride. We are not too young to be serious students of Christian Science. There are no age limits in this Science. The divine consciousness which heals is timeless, and knows no distinction of age, sex, class, or race. It will be attained by all of us eventually. Patiently studying the letter and imbibing the spirit of Truth will make it possible for us to realize the significance of our Leader's statement in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 160), "To live so as to keep human consciousness in constant relation with the divine, the spiritual, and the eternal, is to individualize infinite power; and this is Christian Science."