Success in any endeavor depends largely on how carefully one follows the rules. A successful cook knows how to follow a recipe. A dependable navigator charts his course according to the rules of navigation. A musician cannot succeed without a knowledge of the fundamental rules, or laws, of harmony. An earnest student of Christian Science may ask, "What are the rules we must follow in practicing Christian Science?"

Christian Science is an exact Science, subject to proof. It is the immutable law of God, bringing healing and redemption to mankind. Its rules must inevitably lead one to health and harmony.

In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we find this important rule (p. 568): "Self-abnegation, by which we lay down all for Truth, or Christ, in our warfare against error, is a rule in Christian Science." In this rule Mrs. Eddy epitomizes the teachings and ministry of our great Master, Christ Jesus.

The Sermon on the Mount amplifies this rule. In this Sermon Jesus taught his followers the importance of yielding mortal qualities to the divine. In the Beatitudes, a state of blessedness is the promise for each step in yielding to the divine demand. Self-abnegation always involves the yielding of material-mindedness to the facts of being as taught in Christian Science.

Jesus taught that meekness and blessedness go hand in hand. As we let go of human will and seek only the divine will, we gain an inheritance of good, the riches and dominion of spiritual understanding. Jesus also indicated that the pure in heart are blessed with that spiritual perception which knows God. As we let go of the impurities of the flesh, we become aware of the nearness and dearness of our Father-Mother God. In departing from the pursuit of materiality, in any of its forms, and hungering and thirsting after the things of the Spirit, we shall be not only blessed, but satisfied. We obtain mercy as we give up destructive criticism and condemnation. In being a peacemaker we must necessarily rule out all strife and enmity in our thinking. In all the Beatitudes of our Master we can see the underlying need of self-abnegation and the blessing that accompanies it.

Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, chose the First Commandment as her favorite Bible text. And the reason for her choice is found in her statement (Science and Health, p. 340), "It demonstrates Christian Science." Obedience to the First Commandment and its demand for allegiance to God, requires self-abnegation. The practical value of all the Commandments unfolds to our thought as we seek ways to apply them in daily life.

The Christian Science textbook is full of precious rules. As we search it and our Leader's other writings for the way to overcome error with Truth, we shall be led to the rules we need to obey in order to go forward in demonstration. These rules then mark the way out of the wilderness of human beliefs into the realm of harmonious being. They point the way of self-abnegation, which is the straight and narrow way referred to by our Master.

A student of Christian Science, who was suffering from a severe cold, was led to study all that Mrs. Eddy has written on yielding. One statement found on page 151 of the textbook arrested her attention. Here Mrs. Eddy says: "All that really exists is the divine Mind and its idea, and in this Mind the entire being is found harmonious and eternal. The straight and narrow way is to see and acknowledge this fact, yield to this power, and follow the leadings of truth." With the yielding of her thought to the fact of harmonious being, she found herself completely free. There was no period of recuperation.

Healing occurs whenever there is a yielding of the mortal or material concept to the divine fact. In Jesus' healing work the great demonstrator of God's law often required those he healed to prove their willingness to yield to the divine power. He said to the man born blind (John 9:7), "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam." The account goes on to say, "He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing." His yielding was expressed in obedience and humility. In another account, when two blind men followed Jesus and called after him, he asked them (Matt. 9:28), "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" Their answer, "Yea, Lord," proved their willingness to acknowledge the divine power, the ever-present Truth, which does the healing work. As a result, they received their sight and went on their way rejoicing.

Acknowledgment opens the door to higher demonstration. True appreciation of the good already received leads toward greater expectation. Expectancy is an outward sign of an unwavering trust in God. As we acknowledge the Christ in daily living and express more appreciation, we find that not only our expectancy of good increases, but our capacity to receive it as well. Our prayers are answered, and we find our blessings just at hand.

Good is. We do not have to create good. We only need to express it. The "Rule for Motives and Acts," given to us by our beloved Leader in the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. VIII, Sect. 1), guides us in the way of expressing more good. We are admonished to let go of animosity and mere personal attachment and seek the divine Principle as a basis for all judgment and action. Sometimes the personal attachment is for ourselves, our pride and our opinions. As we yield to the government of divine Love, we find that whatever needs correcting is corrected and an equitable balance is established. Love leads us in ways unsought and teaches us the lessons that strengthen us for greater progress.

How grateful we should be that we have the guidance of Christian Science. We have not only the revelation of the truth that Jesus taught and practiced, but the sacred rules for its application to human problems. This Science has revealed them to this age. In obeying them we are equipped to overcome error of every kind and to glorify our Father-Mother God.