In his exhortation to the Israelites toward the end of their wandering, Moses gave the great commandment that bases monotheistic worship: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart."  ^{Deut. 6:4-6;}

The Israelites had had the Ten Commandments as law for many years, but now Moses was expressing the demand of God for their complete involvement in worship of the Supreme Ruler. He saw the need for a dimension of depth in their religious life, a dimension that has needed reestablishment many times in Judeo-Christian history. Jeremiah centuries later urged the same depth of commitment in thinking and living when he prophesied, "After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts."  ^{Jer. 31:33;} And when, after several more centuries, the Master, Christ Jesus, was confronted by the questioning of one who was apparently content with the letter of the law that he glibly quoted from the book of Deuteronomy, Jesus responded with the simple but penetrating counsel, "This do, and thou shalt live."  ^{Luke 10:28;}

Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health: "Jesus of Nazareth was the most scientific man that ever trod the globe. He plunged beneath the material surface of things, and found the spiritual cause." ^{Science and Health, p. 313;} To be scientific thinkers, we too must be alert to plunge "beneath the material surface of things." We must develop a dimension of depth in our study and application of religion.

Superficiality is a scourge in our affluent society. Prosperity and the material comforts it brings seem to encourage skimming along the smooth surface of things. This tendency is being challenged by studies in depth, designed to improve output and operation in industry and government, and, on the individual level, to improve relationships, skills, and citizenship. Nowhere, however, is superficiality a more dangerous tendency than in religious thinking. If the thinking that probes the depths of spiritual and scientific verity has been neglected through contentment with forms and symbols, words and phrases, a reassessment of the true meaning of religion must be undertaken. Mrs. Eddy counsels, "We must look deep into realism instead of accepting only the outward sense of things."  ^{p.129 ;}

Christian Science urges a depth of commitment to spiritually scientific Truth, for Truth, although simple, is profound. The daily study of the Bible and Science and Health directs one to a deeper consideration of spiritual truths, to a search for the full meaning and application of the commandments, prophecies, and assurances that these two textbooks set forth. The language of these textbooks of Christian Science is often beautiful, comforting, and soothing. But pleasure in that alone would obscure the real meaning and rob the message of its practical aspect, its healing and harmony-producing power. The meaning must be searched out, the significance realized, and the application practiced.

A little girl who was anxiously awaiting the time when the gifts under the Christmas tree could be opened was not consoled by the beauty of the wrappings or the promise of the sizes and shapes of the packages. She insisted that what really counted was what was inside them and what she could do with the contents. Let us not be satisfied to contemplate the gift wrappings, the intriguing promise of loved truths. Let us ponder them, feel the import of their deepest meaning, and honestly and sincerely put them to use in the minutiae of our thinking and living.

It may be helpful for one in physical distress to be reminded of familiar and beautiful words of comfort. The words may indicate a healing truth, but the words alone do not heal. We must undo the wrappings of words to have the fullest benefits. To feel deeply the gentleness, the peace, the power, of the divine presence is to experience joy and healing.

To know that the only presence is God, the All-in-all, and that this divine, gentle allness eliminates the possibility of any other presence destroys the belief of pain or malfunction in the physical body. To have the inner conviction that this presence bestows peace, the Christly gift of harmony, resolves conflicts. It erases the fears and mental disturbances that produce, accompany, and result from physical disorders.

If thought remains on the surface of words and theories, of hopes and wistful imaginings, the underlying convictions that evil is real have ample room to flourish and fester in the unhealthy atmosphere of carnal-mindedness. But to believe profoundly in the power of the gentle, divine presence is to root out all hidden beliefs in an opposing power, in any threat from the boasting, devilish aggressiveness of the carnal, or mortal, mind.

Mortal mind is a shallow counterfeit of the unfathomable depths of divine Mind. It can never delve into the nature of divinity, for its realm is in the horizontal dimension of superficiality. Because it is deflection and not reflection, mortal mind cannot portray the perfection, harmony, dominion, and completeness of God's creation. It cannot grasp the facts of man's true, spiritual being, established in the divine Mind and revealed by divine Science. Science and Health states, "Divine Science alone can compass the heights and depths of being and reveal the infinite."  ^p.292.

Mortal mind is not our true consciousness. Man in the likeness of God reflects the divine Mind, expresses consciously every quality of Mind, and utilizes all the faculties of Mind. As we realize our real, spiritual consciousness, we exemplify and glorify the one Mind in obedience to the command to love God with all our heart. Through our love of Truth we realize the divine presence and are not deceived by any other claim to presence. We are aware that Mind is enabling us to comprehend the divine nature.

The spiritualized human being feels the profound impulsion to conform his acts to the dimension of spiritual depth and not just please and comfort the senses. He finds strong roots deep in the soil of love. Shallow roots may bring forth some luxuriant foliage but not growth able to withstand heat and storm. The tree that sends its roots deep for nourishment and anchorage grows in strength and endurance.

The true religionist must ever be at work deepening his roots of understanding and conviction. He must become conscious of the necessity to penetrate scientifically through the mist of material sense into spiritual reality. The command to love God supremely is written in his heart, and he obeys it in depth of commitment.