The more thoroughly the student of Christian Science studies the writings of our revered Leader, the more profoundly impressed he is sure to become by her wonderful spiritual insight and marvelously incisive analysis of the word of Truth. On page 235 of "Miscellaneous Writings" is a marked instance of this. Speaking of Christian Science, she says, "It touches mind to more spiritual issues, systematizes action, gives a keener sense of Truth and a stronger desire for it."

Every earnest student experiences the truth of this clear statement, and becomes necessarily ambitious to make greater progress. To systematize thought and action is surely the proper method of attaining progress, and therefore the student's early attention should be directed to the best means of accomplishing this. One method we find ready at hand in the apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians. This may be called, indeed, a prescription for right thinking, and as such it should be taken in regular and systematic doses.

Let us first examine the prescription itself carefully. It cannot be read and pondered too often: "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 any praise, think on these things." Here is a comprehensive, all-embracing prescription for right and fruitful thinking; how, then, can it best be taken to secure the highest results? Little good will result from it if it is followed only occasionally and in a haphazard, half-hearted manner. This is surely an instance where Christian Science should, and must, systematize thought by stimulating one to patient, conscientious endeavor. Earnest and sincere study will surely give "a keener sense of Truth and a stronger desire for it."

One method of taking the apostle Paul's prescription for right thinking commends itself. Let the student devote one day of each week to thinking on "whatsoever things are true." He will find abundant food for thought, and will rejoice to return to this rich feast of reason with each recurring week. One student studied and analyzed this topic as follows: What things are true? This is undoubtedly the question to be settled first, before we can determine what things are to be thought upon. And here, in the first instance, the thought must be directed to the word "things." Manifestly, the word "things" should be understood, and this is certainly one instance where "divine Science, rising above physical theories, excludes matter, resolves things into thoughts, and replaces the objects of material sense with spiritual ideas" (Science and Health, p. 123).

We read, then, "Whatsoever thoughts are true." What thoughts are true? God's thoughts alone are true. God being Truth, infinite and eternal, all true thoughts must be of God alone. Spiritual man, being God's image and likeness, God cannot know an evil thought, His image and likeness cannot reflect or be conscious of an evil thought; hence only spiritual, and therefore spiritual man can reflect only spiritual thoughts. God being infinite and eternal good, His thoughts must all be good, and only good; therefore spiritual man reflects only good thoughts. It also follows that as God cannot know an evil thought, His image and likeness cannot reflect or be conscious of an evil thought; hence only good thoughts can exist in God's universe, and evil thoughts cannot possibly have any real existence or power. How, then, can God's likeness become subject to any evil?

Each student can seek out individually the line of application best suited to his need, and he will not fail to find that a closer and more systematic daily study of this wonderful Scripture will give him, in the words of our Leader above quoted, "a keener sense of Truth and a stronger desire for it."