What Christian Scientist does not gain much comfort and joy from reading the account of the supply of manna descending upon the children of Israel in their hour of great need, that proof of the Father's loving care and providence for His children! And who of us has not applied and proved in his experience, at least in some degree, the lessons learned by those wanderers in the wilderness at that time! Most of us have had similar experiences, and have therefore abundant cause for gratitude; and we are eager to express our appreciation. The promise of the daily supply has never failed when the truths about God and man have been intelligently applied; and Christian Science is making its demands upon its students to live and progress, that they may demonstrate continuously more of health and harmony.

There is much to be gained from a careful study of the supply of manna to the children of Israel. Sometimes we conclude our study with the satisfied comment that the need was met and all was well. And then we apply this much of the lesson to our experience, with the result that we do not make such a complete demonstration as we might: we do not realize the abundance of good that is intended for those who are faithful. The children of Israel did not subsist indefinitely upon manna; it was supplied only while they were in the wilderness. The account in Exodus says, "They did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan." After that, we read, they ate "of the fruit of the land of Canaan."

Every faithful student of Christian Science has made some progress out of the Egypt of material beliefs, but many of us have not made all the progress we should. Some of us may still be sustained by the manna of our wilderness experience, when we should have reached the promised land. Our promised land is the understanding of how to demonstrate an abundance of good through the intelligent, correct application of the teachings of our Leader, Mrs. Eddy; and persistent study of the Bible and her works will surely bring us into that promised land.

Perhaps one has come out of a great sorrow, and is grateful. Has it been realized by him that constant joy completes the demonstration? Perhaps one has experienced physical healing and is grateful. But if the healing is not yet complete, and there is a prolonged manifestation of the old condition, it may be there is still too great satisfaction in the wilderness experience to proceed toward the promised land and complete the demonstration. When a demonstration is not complete, there should never be any condemnation in the thought of a true Christian Scientist, either of one's self or of another, but there ought to be a needful awakening to greater activity toward completeness. It is good and right to be grateful for what we have demonstrated of Science; but it is not well to limit God, in belief, by being content with partial demonstration.

A progressive understanding of Truth as taught by Mrs. Eddy has never failed, when correctly applied, to lift one out of a limited sense of supply wherewith to meet the daily human needs. A continued experience of an inadequate supply is a wilderness experience; and it may be due to the apathy of a false peace in being free from actual suffering. On page 597 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy defines "wilderness," in part, as "the vestibule in which a material sense of things disappears, and spiritual sense unfolds the great facts of existence." Manifestly, then, an alert student of Christian Science does not wish to remain indefinitely in this "vestibule," or to neglect to progress actively toward greater joys.

Mrs. Eddy in her human experience progressed to the realization of an abundance with which she was able to do great good to others in large and small ways. If we have in our experience only enough for ourselves, we do not know the joy of giving to others. Our Leader did not expect Christian Scientists to remain in an impoverished condition. She wrote in the Preface to "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. ix): "In the early history of Christian Science, among my thousands of students few were wealthy. Now, Christian Scientists are not indigent; and their comfortable fortunes are acquired by healing mankind morally, physically, spiritually." And on page 14 of "Rudimental Divine Science" she says, "If the Primary students are still impecunious, it is their own fault, and this ill-success of itself leaves them unprepared to enter higher classes."

Christian Scientists do not make any material end their goal, but neither do they continue in an experience that expresses lack. Persistent mental denial of the mesmeric claim of the insufficiency of good, and active work in the healing of ourselves and others, will surely bring about demonstration. Only our own lack of careful study and correct mental work can retard our spiritual progress, and thus keep back our advancement toward happier, healthier, and more joyous conditions of living. We cannot afford to be content with less than the fullest demonstration of God's goodness.

We must remember that God's gracious, comforting promise reads, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." The words "passest through" and "walkest through" are significant. They demand activity on our part to the end that we progress out of our difficulties rather than continue to endure them with a false sense of resignation or a convenient mortal mind peace.

Let us, then, recognize when our demonstrations have not reached completion, and go forward to claim our promised land. Making an active, fruitful effort to attain it, we shall realize good beyond our expectations, while we are increasingly grateful as we go along the way for daily protection and guidance, and a growing understanding of the infinite nature of God and the unlimited supply of His goodness.

Copyright. 1928, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.