Occasionally a Christian Science student will voice discouragement over inability to demonstrate the truth of being in a given instance. He is apt to find it difficult to see why persistent metaphysical work has failed to achieve the desired results.

A pointed answer to such a question is found in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 149): "The rule and its perfection of operation never vary in Science. If you fail to succeed in any case, it is because you have not demonstrated the life of Christ, Truth, more in your own life,—because you have not obeyed the rule and proved the Principle of divine Science." And how is the Christ to be demonstrated? The same author gives an indication in her "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 166): "This spiritual idea, or Christ, entered into the minutiæ of the life of the personal Jesus. It made him an honest man, a good carpenter, and a good man, before it could make him the glorified."

To bring the Christ into the minutiae of our daily lives is a prerequisite to success in Science. It requires clarity of thinking, honesty of purpose, and unremitting self-examination and self-discipline. In the study of music, a person who does not learn correct fingering in the preliminary exercises will never become an expert performer, even though he may read music well. Likewise, habits of thinking and acting contrary to Principle will hinder one's successful application of metaphysics. For example, the habitual exercise of human will in little things may result in one's unconsciously trying to force a demonstration. Carelessness in everyday work may encourage carelessness in the application of the truths of Christian Science. Inability to discipline self in little ways would make it difficult to discipline thought in the way that Science requires for satisfactory spiritual achievement. The Bible expresses this thought in Luke (16:10): "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."

A five-year-old girl heard some high school students talking about the fun they had at school. So she gravely announced to her parents that she intended to skip grammar school and begin with high school instead. Is not that what we sometimes attempt in our practice of Christian Science—to be at a point of demonstration for which we have not taken the preliminary steps? Unhealed irritation, resentment, self-will, selfishness, lack of consideration for others, unwillingness to take correction, untidiness, tardiness are little things to be sure, but they fall under the heading of the minutiae of daily life. And it was Jesus' careful attention to these that later made him the glorified.

Someone once said, "If you take care of the little things, the big things will take care of themselves;" and this surely applies to our practice of Christian Science. Jesus said (Luke 12:26), "If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?" And our Leader expresses the same thought thus (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 123): "Seeing that we have to attain to the ministry of righteousness in all things, we must not overlook small things in goodness or in badness, for 'trifles make perfection,' and 'the little foxes ... spoil the vines.'"

The Bible is replete with illustrations of the attainment of great success by diligent execution of smaller requirements. Moses' obedience in handling the serpent helped prepare him for the greater task of leadership. Joseph earned an honored place in Pharaoh's house by first performing his humble duties well.

When a persistent need seems apparent, we shall be less apt to fall short of achievement if we keep in mind that the primary aim of Christian Science is not getting good, but demonstrating spiritual being. It is striving to express in our present human experience something of what Christian Science teaches is the eternal status of the spiritual man. In the measure that we achieve this, good inevitably appears in our lives.

An experience of a friend illustrates this fact. Becoming dissatisfied with her position, she took steps toward progress by diligently studying pertinent references in the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings, in addition to articles in the Christian Science periodicals, and doing metaphysical work on promotion. But months passed with no results, and she became somewhat discouraged. Then, to add to her dissatisfaction, a fine new position was created in the firm, but someone else was chosen to fill it. One day she was led to ask the personnel director why she had not been selected for this work, since her experience fitted her particularly well for it.

She was told frankly that though she had other qualifications, the position required great exactness of detail, and her work, though good, showed carelessness in that respect. She humbly accepted the correction, and resolved at once to correct this and other undesirable habits that were uncovered to her. So interested did she become in making progress along this line that she forgot her discontent. Not long afterwards an excellent position was offered her, in which she has since been happy and successful.

Is more supply the pressing need? We receive in the measure we give; such is the law of God. So let us begin to give more of what we can express unlimitedly—intelligence, unselfishness, kindness, good will, love. Is health lacking? Health is not physical; it is mental loveliness, in the fullest sense of the word. So what is needed is the cultivation of the qualities that produce this mental state. Is a better position in business or greater opportunity of serving our church desired? Let us begin in our present work to express a greater degree of efficiency and beauty, doing our work lovingly and with joy. Then the better opportunity will appear.

When logs floating in a river become jammed, lumbermen do not solve the problem by pushing or shoving the accumulated pile. They locate the logs causing the jam, and either pry or dynamite them loose; then the rest float readily on their way. Likewise, when faced with a stalemated situation in human experience, let us cease struggling to push something out of the way or trying desperately to bring something into manifestation. Instead, let us remove from our experiences the little foxes that spoil the vines, by a more consecrated endeavor to express in little things more of the divine qualities.