Article July 2, 1938 Issue

True Progress Inevitable

JESSIE ELIZABETH RENDELL

All earnest students of Christian Science awaken, sooner or later, to the need of a better and more definite sense of progress. In turning for counsel and inspiration to the works of their Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, they may be led to ponder her deeply important and helpful declaration on the subject (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 181): "Progress is spiritual. Progress is the maturing conception of divine Love; it demonstrates the scientific, sinless life of man and mortal's painless departure from matter to Spirit, not through death, but through the true idea of Life,—and Life not in matter but in Mind."

Looking back over the history of the world in the light of Christian Science teaching, and commencing with the events recorded in the Bible, one readily sees that all true progress has been made by individuals and nations proportionably as they have gained a better and higher concept of God. The patriarchs and prophets, each in turn, caught higher glimpses of the true nature of the divine Being which inspired and enabled them to lead the people to a truer worship of God, and in some cases enabled them to heal the sick and raise the dead. Following them came Christ Jesus, whose clear understanding and marvelous demonstrations of Truth in overcoming sin, sickness, and death entitled him to be called the Messiah.

The progressive revelation of the true nature of God culminated in the year 1866 in the discovery by Mrs. Eddy of the perfection of God and all that He creates, and in the establishment of a scientific system of thought and education—namely, Christian Science—whereby this perfection can, by degrees, be demonstrated in human experience. Despite the darkness, superstition, and ignorance of the ages, dense though these have been, and accompanied with fierce opposition from many foes to religious enlightenment, the discovery and establishment of this healing truth could not be hindered or prevented.

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