It is not reasonable to expect a perfect understanding of Christian Science from a month's or a year's study of the subject, no matter how eager the student may be, since this would involve the working out of his complete salvation from all un-Godlikeness, and mortals do not accomplish this work in so short a time. To study Christian Science correctly one must work from a different basis than if the subject were chemistry or mathematics; for in the latter case the student's morals or motives are not held to be necessary factors in his work and do not figure in the result; while concerning Christian Science, which is the Science or knowledge of good, the student's good morals and purity of motive are essential to his success. It should be obvious to all that a hunger after righteousness is indispensable to the gaining of a demonstrable knowledge of God. The desire for bodily ease and release from pain may primarily suffice in seeking Christian Science, but higher aims are needed for the proper pursuit of this study and for the attainment of its lofty spiritual ideal.

Christian Science is not to be intellectually learned. The human intellect confines its outlook mainly to materiality; it accepts the evidence of physical sense as conclusive, basing its premises and conclusions thereon, hence it cannot be the medium by which spiritual truth is interpreted or understood. A material sense of intelligence can have no correct conception of infinite divine Mind. If it were possible to thread one's way through all the mazes of material knowledge, to know all that human wisdom has set up in the name of truth or science, he would find at the end that the doctrines of materialism had not advanced mortals towards the apprehension of man's spiritual being, nor inspired in men the first feeble flutterings of faith in the Christpower to heal the ills of the flesh. As the human mind is unable to illumine its own thought with the spiritual sense of the Scriptures, that is, with its healing sense, it is evident that its systems of philosophy, theology, medicine, or science are neither stepping-stones nor beacon-lights to the understanding of Christian Science, through which the healing Christ again appears to mankind.

Whoever takes up the study of Christian Science from honest motives must discover at the outset that its whole purpose and intent are for the good of humanity; that its only mission is to redeem human thought from its evil and discord, to lift it out of its material beliefs of suffering and sin into the perception of spiritual harmony and reality. One who is not in sympathy with this work cannot fully appreciate the relation of its statements to human need, nor estimate its worth in Christianizing the race. A lack of appreciation of the motives and object of Christian Science is responsible for much of the misrepresentation and opposition which it has received. That broad-minded and large-hearted attitude which is ready to accept the world's Redeemer outside, if need be, of the approved opinions and methods of the past, soonest perceives the meaning, consistency, and potency of Christian Science.

Christian Science should be considered from its own point of view, not from that of other teachings which do not accord with it. Many of its statements appear difficult to understand simply because the student tries to understand them from the outlook of his former beliefs, forgetting that the material and spiritual are opposites. If one is not prepared to accept and abide by the premise that God is infinite, all,—a proposition with which Christian Science begins and ends,—he will hardly be prepared to admit the conclusions which are deduced therefrom; but if he will set aside his own views while examining Christian Science, he will see how logical are all its statements, and that they are wholly consistent with the life and teaching of Jesus. When the student begins to make room in his thought for the possibility that God is really good, that He is really infinite and supreme, and that goodness is the most practical thing in the world, he will begin to have a glimpse of the real meaning and possibilities of Christian Science.

The proper study of Christian Science means more than the perusal of its text-book, as would be the case with mathematics or similar studies. The intelligent application of what is learned, beginning with the simpler problems, is requisite if we would understand what is taught in the letter. While the student naturally begins with a knowledge of its literature, he will not fully understand what Christian Science is or what it contains for all mankind, except as he makes its statements practical in his own experience. One may read Science and Health from an intellectual standpoint, the same as he may read any theological work, but unless its spiritual sense is gained he may stumble over the difference between its teaching and his former belief, and so perhaps remain unconvinced of its truth and value. More than good logic is required to convince one of the truth of Christian Science, and of its adaptability to human need; and hence one may examine it from the purely intellectual side without discovering the treasure hid in the field of its letter. The tired sufferer, the world weary and the heart-hungry dig for this treasure and find it, while others, more satisfied with the world, are denying its presence because they have not found it on the surface.

If the text of Christian Science appears hard to believe because of its radical departure from old-time theories, it should be studied in the light of what is being accomplished through the practice of this teaching. Full justice cannot be done Christian Science in any other way. Does it alleviate suffering when other means fail? does it make men better morally? Does it bring freedom from the perplexities, worries, and fears of human existence? Does it make men purer, kinder, more just, less selfish? If it does these things one can well afford to suspend the judgment or the criticism which may be prompted by a mere cursory examination, and look more deeply into that which brings peace and strength to others. It is a significant fact that the apparent ambiguities, inconsistencies, or contradictions which one may think he discovers in the text of Christian Science, vanish as the practical benefits of this teaching are realized. Indeed, experience is the only decisive test of the worth of any teaching.

The statements of Science and Health are not elucidated nor sustained merely by argument or declaration, but by the actual demonstration of healing; and nothing short of this practical evidence can establish the rules of Christian Science, vindicate its position, or win it a place in the hearts of men. That the nature and influence of Christian Science is divine is proven in that it brings out in its students their best and highest qualities. The wise student, observing this, will heed its obvious lesson, that "to depart from evil is understanding." Christian Science is above mere intellectual theorizing, human reason, and the methods and conceptions of material sense; it is the Science of God, and must therefore be understood through individual goodness. If the beginner will remember this he will not be so apt to fall into impatience or discouragement, except with his own tardiness in purifying himself.

Our Leader says, "Christian Science is not the shibboleth of a sect" (No and Yes, p. 18). The Christian Science movement exists because the needs of the hour, and the immaturity of its understanding, demand some measure of organization and of systematic work, until its place is rightly established in the thoughts and affections of men. Christian Science is too large for sectarianism; it is the universal truth of God, of His infinitude and perfection. Mrs. Eddy's discovery of this truth in 1866 dated for humanity the beginning of a scientific apprehension and utilization of the facts of divinity, as related to mankind. The results which have followed this discovery may be seen in the healing work of Christian Science, a healing that is not confined to physical suffering, but that includes the overcoming of degraded and sinful appetites, the binding up of broken hearts, the healing of sin, and of all the discordant conditions incident to human experience.

This age owes a debt of gratitude to Mrs. Eddy which it will find difficult to pay, although already the signs are brightening. Each day evidences a wider recognition of her rightful position and a larger appreciation of her work. Let us hope the day is not far distant when humanity shall recognize the truth of Christian Science, and lay its burden of sin and misery at the feet of the healing Christ.