Article November 1, 2013

Advancing steps in understanding

M. S.

Originally published in the June 1, 1890 issue of the Christian Science Series (Vol. 2, No. 3)

When we first come into Christian Science, how little we know in the Spirit! In the letter, we hold many truths. These are spiritually discerned as we gradually destroy the error hiding them. One or two ideas held in spiritual understanding elevate thought. From this elevation we discover old errors, often seeming new. With our little understanding we destroy them; for the understanding which is capable of discovering an error is equally capable of destroying it. Remember this! This destruction of darkness lets in more light necessarily; and again from our higher position we discover and destroy more error; thereby discovering or realizing (as the case may be) more truths.

Yesterday, in the "way " described above, I realized a Truth which I had been repeating in the letter ever since I came into the Science. For several weeks past the light has been breaking upon me in rapid flashes, leading up to this one; and I will speak of it because I am thinking of it most to-day. I had gotten to the point where I realized for the first time that I must not talk error. I saw that I was aggravating all evil beliefs, by such words as: "If I could realize this as I will sometime,” “I am too selfish,” “I wish I could talk Science to people more simply," "If I had the money, I would do thus and so;" also by speaking of the beliefs of faults in others, as: "Oh, he does not believe in the Science!” “If she were more unselfish, she would receive a greater benefit." "If he would think less of his beliefs of sickness and more of the benefits received, he would improve faster," and so on ad infinitum. In this way I was more than aggravating error, I was believing it real,—else why deplore it? And, moreover, I was creating it in belief. Oh, blind that I was to create it all day, and then sit down a short time and endeavor to destroy it in treatment!

Send a comment to the editors