Article December 6, 1969 Issue

Study Is Indispensable

HELEN G. HASLER

The writer has been very grateful for an idea that a consecrated Christian Scientist shared with her many years ago. She said that in addition to studying the Lesson-Sermon from the Christian Science Quarterly, she made it her practice to read a few pages of the writings of Mrs. Eddy every day. She read the books through consecutively from beginning to end. Her motive was purposeful and the reward great.

This loving advice has been heeded by the writer. Each reading of the Bible and of Science and Health, the Manual of The Mother Church, and Mrs. Eddy's other writings, including her Poems, brings renewed inspiration and a greater desire to practice the profound and practical truths they contain. When we approach them with a heartfelt desire to gain more of both letter and spirit, the ideas these books contain become challenging, vivid. They never become stereotyped or dull.

To progress in Christian Science, it is wise for us to set aside time frequently to supplement pondering the Lesson-Sermon. There is a need for additional study, which includes digging into the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings with the aid of the Concordances. The next step is to pray over the thoughts we have gleaned and then put them into practice. These steps are requisite to individual spiritual growth. It is axiomatic that there is no substitute for earnest, consecrated study. In the textbook, Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy says: "Take divine Science. Read this book from beginning to end. Study it, ponder it."^{Science and Health, p. 559;}