Article January 5, 1952 Issue

THE DIVINE PRECEPTS

HAYDEN KENNETH MAC LEAY TROY

In the chapter entitled "Recapitulation" in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy gives us an inspired summary of the fundamentals of Christian Science. She prefaces the chapter with the words from Isaiah (28:10), "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." The word precept implies a law, a maxim, a prerequisite, or a rule of conduct, and Christian Scientists recognize in the questions and answers constituting the chapter the precepts which they must necessarily observe in order to progress in understanding.

The Science of Christianity being based on the truths relating to God as our Father and to man as His spiritual offspring, the precepts underlying this Science must be divine. The chapter referred to is in fact expressly used as the basis for the teaching of Christian Science, in accordance with the directions given by Mrs. Eddy, our revered Leader, in the Manual of The Mother Church. How essential it is, therefore, that we should be well acquainted with these precepts and that we should continually refresh ourselves with a perusal of them in order that we may be consistent in applying them to our human affairs.

These precepts are not onerous, nor are our individual lives stereotyped by them. Their purpose is freedom, not restriction. They do, however, require our entire obedience if we would express our God given dominion over error. To stray from them is to incur penalty, just as in our recreational pursuits we are penalized for an infringement of the rules of the game in order to maintain the high standard of the game. Faithful obedience to the precepts endows us with fortitude, gives us peace amidst turmoil, and confidence which ensures victory.

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