Article December 7, 1946 Issue

The Value of Systematic Study

PATRICK J. HAMBROOK

Progress in spiritual understanding and scientific demonstration is the earnest desire of all sincere students of Christian Science. In its textbook, in answer to the question, "How can I progress most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science?" Mary Baker Eddy replies in part (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 495), "Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit." A dictionary provides this clear definition of the verb "study": "To read and examine so as to learn and understand." The injunction to "study thoroughly the letter," therefore, reveals that thoughtful examination of the letter is essential to rapid progress in the understanding of this Science.

In every line of righteous human endeavor, sincere and systematic application of thought to the acquisition of an intelligent, demonstrable understanding brings steady progress and expanding accomplishment. In no instance is this fact more true than in the study and practice of Christian Science. Whereas ordinary schools of learning in the so-called natural sciences deal almost wholly with material phenomena, Christian Science transcends human modes and methods and instructs its students how to exchange mortal material concepts for immortal spiritual ideas; how to rise above the suppositional realm of matter into the veritable realm of Spirit.

Both the letter and the spirit of Christian Science are found, first and foremost, in the Bible, in the Christian Science textbook, and in Mrs. Eddy's other writings. Thorough daily study of the Bible Lessons published in the Christian Science Quarterly, consisting of correlative citations from the Bible and Science and Health, is of the greatest importance to the student. Lyman P. Powell, in his biography entitled "Mary Baker Eddy: A Life Size Portrait," has written (p. 239), "Never was any Christian Scientist more assiduous in the daily study of the Bible Lessons than was the founder of the faith." Mrs. Eddy indicates in the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. III, Sect. 1) that the prosperity of Christian Science largely depends upon the weekly Bible Lesson.

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