Article January 12, 1952 Issue

"STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED"

MARGARET A. LARSON

A Friend of the writer one day put this question to herself: Why do I not study more, so that I may more readily demonstrate the truth as taught in Christian Science? Her answer came promptly: I don't have time to study; and besides, it is very difficult to keep my thought clear when no one with whom I am closely associated is interested in Christian Science. At first this seemed a most convincing answer. But presently other questions emerged to challenge it: Why did she not have time for study? Why was she not able to keep her thought clear, regardless of whose presence she was in? Might not others become interested in Christian Science because of her example?

She was at home the day these thoughts came to her, and she had awakened that morning under a sense of pressure because of having much to do around the house on this day off from the office. Nevertheless, she went to her desk, where her books were kept, and opened "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" to these words of Mary Baker Eddy's (p. 253): "If you believe in and practise wrong knowingly, you can at once change your course and do right."

This was extremely comforting, for she knew instantly she could find time to study if that was what she desired, regardless of circumstances or any belief of pressure. She knew that her earnest desire was to be a Christian Scientist, and she also knew she could never consider Christian Science a theory, calling merely for a smattering of so-called knowledge. One had to he in earnest about God when one believed in Him; there was no half-way, halfhearted measure here. And when one desired to learn more about anything, so as readily to demonstrate it, one let nothing interfere with that desire.

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