Christian Scientists are generally described as students of the Science they represent; and their Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, provides them not only with ample material for study, but with a divine method of making the best of that study. One sometimes compares the little handful of books which the Christian Scientist treasures with the countless volumes contained in the libraries of the world; and he marvels at the profundity and simplicity of the wisdom of the former as contrasted with the vastness and intricacy of the knowledge in the latter.

Furthermore, one knows that if his study of the Bible and the writings of Mrs. Eddy is to be effective, he must bring to it a measure of spiritual apprehension of all that he reads. When he does apprehend it, he demonstrates his knowledge by healing the sick and sinful. If he cannot demonstrate what he reads, he knows that he has work to do to make his study effective.

Mrs. Eddy says in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 238), "Rightly to read and to practise the Scriptures, their spiritual sense must be discerned, understood, and demonstrated." Our Leader goes on to say, "On the swift pinions of spiritual thought man rises above the letter, law, or morale of the inspired Word to the spirit of Truth, whereby the Science is reached that demonstrates God." Through her revelation of the truths of God and man she has made it possible for all to interpret the Scriptures so intelligently that the spiritual power to destroy error is brought once more to mankind—this time in a manifestation destined to be universal in its scope.

"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy's chief work, stimulates reason, and so do her other writings; and reason spiritually directed brings the revelation of ever-present truths. Spiritual truths in turn destroy materialistic lies, which mortal convictions have produced—such contradictions of God's loving will as sin, sickness, poverty, discord, and even death.

When one picks up the Bible or our Leader's works to study them, he needs to look expectantly to God for enlightenment. He needs to know and declare that he is not a mortal, blind to spiritual substance and knowledge, but the reflection of the one Mind, which includes all true knowledge. He needs to realize that, as actually Mind's idea, he has spiritual sense, which discerns the kingdom of God effortlessly.

If one is consecrated, eager to know more of infinite Spirit and its creation, his thought will not wander to personal affairs, but will rest with undivided attention and interest upon the concepts presented in the textbooks. His concentration will be in the measure of his consecration. He will test the meaning of each word and phrase and sentence; and he will reject distorted or perverted interpretations of what he reads. Humility and honesty will make him instinctively aware of faulty interpretations; and his uplifted state of thought will testify to the correctness of his interpretations. His health will improve, and his affairs will become harmonious in proof that his study is effective. He will have attained something of "the spirit of Truth" that transcends the letter of Science.

If one finds himself reading mechanically, without retaining what he has read, he will be helped by stopping and working prayerfully to realize that man is constituted of spiritual ideas and qualities, and that his own ability to retain the truth rests upon his realization that he is actually spiritual man, who reflects Mind's omniscience. Man's capabilities are not human possessions, but impartial divine bestowals. One knowing this does not value human acumen so highly as spiritual insight. In her Preface to Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says (p. x), "The unbiased Christian thought is soonest touched by Truth, and convinced of it." And in the same paragraph she says, "No intellectual proficiency is requisite in the learner, but sound morals are most desirable." These two sentences refute the evil suggestion that one cannot understand what he reads because he lacks intellectual proficiency. And they point to a moral rather than a humanly intellectual need.

Christ Jesus said (Mark 11:24), "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." The quality of our desire always determines the success of our demonstration of spiritual truth. If we ask for the bread of Truth in all sincerity of desire to understand Truth, our Father will not answer with a stone of unresponsiveness. The fact that God is giving to His sons all intelligence is brought to light by right desire and by the understanding of man's status as God's reflection.

A proper balance between reading and doing prayerful metaphysical work is desirable for effective study. It is helpful to read thoughtfully and then to ponder quietly the spiritual truths one has read, to grasp them firmly and to make them one's own by actual realization before going on to further reading. Always, it is the quality of one's study rather than the quantity of it that makes study fruitful in healing works; but both are important.

The same Mind that impelled our Leader to interpret the scriptures, and to provide her writings and the various Christian Science periodicals, is giving every individual the ability to study the written Word of God effectively. In the degree that we identify ourselves as actually the reflection of divine Mind we shall bring that ability into full manifestation. And we shall go on to prove the supremacy of Spirit step by step until we awaken to the full glory of all that the written Word declares.

Helen Wood Bauman