That persistence is a quality essential to success in any endeavor, all will agree. It is a quality indispensable in the practice of Christian Science. Persistence in the study and application of Science, coupled with a deep sincerity, brings into our experience the progressive unfoldment of Life, by which we demonstrate with increasing clarity and power God's omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscence. This is true progress.

This desired progress, or apprehension of spiritual reality, can be gained only through spiritualization of thought. How does one spiritualize thought? By persistently turning from things material to the contemplation of spiritual qualities and by constantly endeavoring to bring out these qualities in our daily living. It is through the quiet, yet active, realization of the presence of Spirit that we abide in His goodness. Paul lists some of the qualities we are to contemplate if we would spiritualize our thinking. He says in his letter to the Philippians (4: 8): "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be an praise, think on these things."

Think on these things! Such thinking lifts us into a more exalted atmosphere, removes thought from self and the consideration of material ease to the contemplation of Spirit and of Spirit's essentially perfect creation. It fosters a desire to glorify God and to help our fellow men. Thought not instructed in Christian Science looks for a life of ease in matter. It looks for quick success in matter, based on a belief that the accumulation of material wealth is success and that once it is achieved one may accept an early retirement from active service and lapse in to a life of indolence. Christian Science erases this solely material view and demands a radical change in thinking. It leads one to forsake the basis of matter, to build on the sure foundation of Spirit, as Jesus did.

Thought instructed by Christian Science leads the individual into spiritual realms and empowers him to meet increasing demands, enabling him progressively to rise out of material-mindedness into spiritual awareness and to the apprehension of spiritual reality, thereby blessing all within the radius of his thought and activity. During this transitional experience the student of Christian Science, when faced with a problem which seems difficult to surmount, is often forced to combat discouragement. At such times he must hold steadfastly to God's law and consecrate himself anew to serving God and tending His flock. Then he must resolutely realize, as the Scriptures point out, that, having done all, he is to stand. According to his intent and steadfastness of purpose, he wins.

In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, writes (p. 462): "Whoever would demonstrate the healing of Christian Science must abide strictly In its rules, heed every statement, and advance from the rudiments laid down. There is nothing difficult nor toilsome in this task, when the way is pointed out; but self-denial, sincerity, Christianity, and persistence alone win the prize, as they usually do in every department of life." When faced a second time with a trying ordeal, the beginner in this most exact of all sciences may think he has retrograded, rather than progressed, because he must again bend every effort to quench the claims of material-mindedness. He will find, however, if he is persistent in his endeavor to put into practice what he learns, that this new call, rather than being a retrograde step, a summons to repeat work already done, is a call to higher altitudes. The higher he carries his demonstration, the louder and more aggressive error seems to become, until mortal mind is subjugated in each successive round and the individual gains everlasting victory over a so-called power which would oppose itself to God, omnipotent good.

One earnest student of Christian Science, upon learning that each call for increased effort was an opportunity to climb higher, found his courage mounting, and discouragement lost its hold upon him. He saw that the grade may be steeper as one nears the top of the peak, and this inspired him to "rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good" (Science and Health, p. 393).

One day as he was reading "The New Testament, A New Translation" by James Moffatt, he came to the account of Jesus instructing his disciples in the Christian way of life, wherein he says (Luke 9:23), "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross day after day, and so follow me." He reread the statement. The three words "day after day" stood out to him as though in italics. He liked this definition of persistence. He was impressed anew with the quality of perseverance. He saw, too, that we can follow the Master in no other way. We must take up the cross "day after day."

In the eleventh chapter of Luke's Gospel (5-8) there is a parable on persistence by Christ Jesus: "And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot arise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth." In Mofffatt's translation the passage "because of his importunity" is rendered "because you persist." The word persist intensified to this student's thought the quality of perseverance, the quality so essential for growth in Christian character.

The Master finishes his remarkable parable with these words (9, 10): "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."