The young man or woman seeking an education naturally desires to excel in his or her studies in order to attain the goal of graduation and a degree. The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews gave men a rule for obtaining true success in their human experience. He wrote, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith."

The author of this epistle, in choosing his metaphor, had obviously been influenced by the Greek and Roman games. The Christian life, which he urged upon those Hebrews to whom he wrote, was likened to a foot race in the arena. We may liken the great "cloud of witnesses" to the spectators in the tiers of seats in the amphitheater. The runners, who laid aside "every weight," threw off their superfluous garments and whatever else might impede the free motion of their limbs. The word "patience" has been variously translated as "determination" or "endurance"; and Jesus himself is the foremost example of patient endurance.

As students of Christian Science, we early learn to consult God before embarking on any undertaking. The spiritual understanding gained from our study of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, enables us to apply to each problem the correct rules for its solution. We affirm understandingly that God governs and controls the universe, and is unaffected by any of the claims of evil, and that man is His image and likeness.

In the undertaking of any activity, scholastic, athletic, or social, an essential part of our spiritual preparation is the renunciation of that which, if indulged, would prevent success in good. Prayerful self-examination will reveal whether lurking, unlovely traits of character are being eradicated. It will show whether temptations arising in the form of distractions, self-indulgence, or procrastination have been put aside. Earnest consideration will expose to view whatever needs to be eliminated from our thinking, whether it be selfishness, false pride, overconfidence, carelessness, laziness, dishonesty, jealousy, contentiousness, the habit of criticism, or inordinate love of pleasure. Since, as we learn in Christian Science, none of these qualities belong to God, or to man in His image and likeness, they can be laid aside—put off like a garment that impedes a runner—through the understanding of their unreality.

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, interprets part of the verses quoted above as meaning, "Let us put aside material self and sense" (Science and Health, p. 20). Laying aside every weight, spiritually interpreted, therefore, is simply the process of getting rid of the beliefs of mortal mind, casting off the burdens or impediments which claim to hold us back from good. These beliefs may sometimes go by the name of temperament, heredity, climate, or hygiene, but none of them have in reality any power to affect adversely the child of God.

Sometimes the "cloud of witnesses" may seem to be well-meaning friends who would become a hindrance to us if we let them. To illustrate: a young college student, a member of the school track team, was preparing for an important meet in which he was expected to win a race. He talked with a Christian Science practitioner before he left for the games, and went away with these words ringing in his ears: "Never mind the cheering! Keep your eyes on the goal!" Later, at a point in the race when the cheering of his schoolmates might have led him to believe he was safely in front and to turn his head, he remembered the words; and it was well that he did, for an opponent was pressing him so closely that an instant's hesitation might have cost him the race.

"Never mind the cheering!" Do the plaudits of our well-wishers sometimes seem to have the effect of turning our heads? It is pleasing to hear sincere words of congratulation from our friends for a piece of work well done, or an achievement that reflects credit upon us. It is right for them to accord such commendation, and for us to feel the joy of accomplishment. But we must beware of looking for applause or of permitting the effusive praise of friends to arouse in us a sense of self-esteem, self-complacency, or conceit. "A man that flattereth his neighbour," wrote Solomon, "spreadeth a net for his feet;" and Mrs. Eddy, recognizing that a sense of personal victory sometimes works injury, speaks of "tear or triumph" harming, in her hymn, "Feed My Sheep" (Poems, p. 14). The effectual course for the Christian Scientist to pursue is to understandingly declare, as did Christ Jesus, "I can of mine own self do nothing." Then no feeling of being sufficient unto ourselves can enter our thought, and no suggestions of error, even if they come in the guise of pleasant words from loving friends, can detrimentally affect our thinking or swerve us from the path of service to God and our fellow man.

Mrs. Eddy wrote (Science and Health, p. 426): "The discoverer of Christian Science finds the path less difficult when she has the high goal always before her thoughts, than when she counts her footsteps in endeavoring to reach it. When the destination is desirable, expectation speeds our progress. The struggle for Truth makes one strong instead of weak, resting instead of wearying one."

The goal of the student of Christian Science is goodness, spirituality, true Christianity. It is the attainment of the spiritual understanding of the true relationship of God and man, and the ability to put this knowledge into practice. The understanding, gained through the study of Christian Science, that evil qualities are no part of man in God's image and likeness, effectually prevents us from manifesting them.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" means being possessed of a holy, sincere desire to know and do the will of God as our Master did. Strengthened by such desire, and sustained by the truths of Christian Science in his efforts, the student cannot fail to attain the goal of his ambition, as long as that ambition is for spiritual good alone.