Article February 11, 1939 Issue

Study, Prayer, and Fasting

JOHN AUDLEY GUSTUS

The way to gain a comprehensive and demonstrable understanding of Christian Science involves, among other requirements, study, prayer, and fasting. Christ Jesus, rebuking ignorance of the Scriptures, said, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me," showing that eternal life is gained through an understanding of God and His Christ—a teaching opposite to the general belief that life is obtained and lost through materiality.

In our own time, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and author of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," was a devout student of the Bible. When the revelation of Truth came to her, she knew full well its inestimable value to mankind, and she endured great trials and hardships to ensure its propagation, through her elucidation of her discovery and through her Church organization. Thus tried and fortified, she could justly urge her followers to study and digest her writings, which reveal the truth of spiritual being.

Paul said, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." For some persons, study of the Bible seems to be difficult. Some feel that they have never learned to study. Perhaps they have labeled themselves as inefficient and incapable in that respect. Such decisions master them and retard their growth heavenward, for there is plenty of evidence to show that all men can learn to study, whatever the price demanded in diligence and perseverance.

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