The purpose of an examination in school is to find out what one knows, not that of which one is ignorant. Surely it should not be a difficult task to tell what one knows or understands. The student who has Christian Science to aid him in his school examinations need have no fear that he will not be able to set forth, in a clear and orderly manner, the facts he has learned about the subject in which he is being examined, for, as a Christian Scientist, he is conscious that intelligence is the primal quality of the one Mind, God. Since man is the perfect reflection of Mind, one may therefore know that he will be abundantly supplied with all the intelligence he needs to pass the examination successfully.

Students in schools and colleges have often noticed the epidemic of fear which seems to sweep over the student body at examination periods. One hears fear, limitation, and inability voiced on every side. Here is a glorious opportunity for the Christian Scientist so to clarify his own thinking that he not only will meet the arguments of fear for himself but will help others as well. He can realize that in reality he is not living in a fearful community, but in the realm of spiritual ideas. He can know that no contagion of fear can enter this wholly spiritual thought realm; for, as the Revelator has written about the New Jerusalem, "there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie." And Mrs. Eddy tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 496), "You will also learn that in Science there is no transfer of evil suggestions from one mortal to another, for there is but one Mind, and this ever-present omnipotent Mind is reflected by man and governs the entire universe."

A student of Christian Science in college was surprised at an examination time to hear a friend who was considered an unusually brilliant student express a great sense of fear and limitation. When questioned about her attitude the friend said, "Well, everyone else is afraid, and so I try to be companionable." And then she laughingly added, "And after I've sympathized with the others I find I am becoming fearful myself." This was a very revealing remark to the Christian Scientist, for it showed how utterly without foundation, even humanly speaking, are many fears one hears expressed, and also how prone one is to accept the suggestions of error which one hears voiced by others. No wonder this student found that when she agreed with the beliefs of fear she found herself experiencing them! This wakened the Christian Scientist to watch her own thinking more carefully, and to challenge the suggestions of limitation which were presented to her, so that she might not be confused or mesmerized by the seeming contagion of fear which was evident at the examination periods.

If a Christian Scientist were living in a town where an epidemic of sickness seemed to be in evidence, would he go around talking to others about it, agreeing that it was a terrible thing, fearing it, making a reality of it? If he followed this course, he might find himself manifesting the beliefs which he had voiced. Would he not rather quietly and persistently declare that all of God's ideas are manifesting peace, health, and harmony, and are therefore not subject to discord of any kind? So at an examination time the Christian Scientist will be alert in refraining from voicing suggestions such as that he is incapable of expressing what he knows. He will not agree with mortal mind, but will deny and destroy its beliefs. By expressing confidence and courage himself, he will help to free others from the doubt and depression which they seem to be experiencing.

It is well for a student to analyze carefully his reason for wishing to pass his examinations with high grades. Is his desire selfish, the wish to attain personal honor, glory, or reputation? If it is, he should quickly change his thinking until he sees that his real motives are purely unselfish, governed by the desire to manifest the omnipotence of Mind and to prove to the world the healing and sustaining power of Christian Science. Examinations are opportunities afforded him to demonstrate the spiritual fact that Love "never faileth," for Love is God, Mind. If his purpose is thus unselfish he will succeed, for his righteous endeavor to express God will be rewarded.

Perhaps the argument presents itself that it is difficult to remember what one has learned. The student may feel that, although he has faithfully done the daily work assigned to him during the term, he must "cram" or memorize a great deal just before the examination so that he may be able to recall the facts he needs. Christian Science turns him to the ever-present and ever-available Mind in every need. Under the marginal heading "Immortal memory," our Leader has written (Science and Health, p. 407): "If delusion says, 'I have lost my memory,' contradict it. No faculty of Mind is lost. In Science, all being is eternal, spiritual, perfect, harmonious in every action." In this passage she makes it clear that it is delusion which says that one cannot remember. Man, the spiritual image and likeness of the one Mind, is never deluded, for in reality there is no mortal, evil mind to delude him.

A passage from "Pulpit and Press" by our Leader which proved very helpful to one student at examination periods was the following (p. 3): "Know, then, that you possess sovereign power to think and act rightly, and that nothing can dispossess you of this heritage and trespass on Love. If you maintain this position, who or what can cause you to sin or suffer? Our surety is in our confidence that we are indeed dwellers in Truth and Love, man's eternal mansion." Such knowing, such clear and calm realization, completely eliminates fear and brings confidence and peace.