Article October 16, 1971 Issue

Bring the Letter to Life

ENID THACKERY

The writings of Mrs. Eddy impart both the letter and the spirit of Christian Science. A first reading of these books gives one all the fundamental facts of this Science. By studying Mrs. Eddy's works we can easily commit many statements to memory.

However, though the fact that three times three equals nine is easily learned, one could repeat this formula a thousand times and it would still be a meaningless statement until it was accurately used, whether in adding up a grocery list or working out a complicated mathematical problem. It is the same in Christian Science. Words repeated are meaningless formulas unless the idea or spirit expressed in the words is accurately applied in living. Mrs. Eddy tells us, "The spirit, and not the letter, performs the vital functions of Truth and Love."^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 260;}

The letter should not only be read thoughtfully but be translated into action to prove the truth of the statements for oneself. While cleaning out a cupboard, I once found a pile of very old Christian Science Sentinels marked "save." I looked through them, and although I found them full of inspired articles, I really had no idea why these particular copies had been saved. There must have been some thought in each one that appealed to me at one time and that I planned to go back and study. But the golden opportunity was lost because I never did.

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