Article September 5, 1942 Issue

"The eternal demand of divine Science"

LYMAN S. ABBOTT

A high goal was set for every follower of the master Christian when he said, in his Sermon on the Mount, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." The goal of every student of Christian Science is, or should be, to express perfection in his daily activities. In order to do so, his every thought and word must conform to the strict demands of Truth and Love.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 595), Mary Baker Eddy gives an illuminating definition of the word "Thummim," which reads in part, "Perfection; the eternal demand of divine Science." This indicates that nothing less than perfection will wholly satisfy the alert student. "The eternal demand of divine Science" is that the student should continually advance in his demonstration of the facts of being. As he learns man's real nature as the full and perfect expression of divine Mind, he awakens to the fact that he is not simply a human personality endeavoring to acquire some measure of spirituality. He is now, always has been, and always will be the complete and perfect expression of God, possessing by reflection all the divine qualities of God.

In order to make true progress in his understanding of divine Science, it is essential that the student devote considerable time and thought to the study of the Bible together with the Christian Science textbook and the other writings of our Leader. The Manual of The Mother Church (Art. IV, Sect. 1), in giving the qualifications required of an applicant for membership in The Mother Church, provides that "the Bible, together with Science and Health and other works by Mrs. Eddy, shall he his only textbooksfor self-instruction in Christian Science, and for teaching and practising metaphysical healing."

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