It is characteristic of mankind to look to the far-away future for the appearing of seers and prophets, or else to acknowledge that such appearing took place in the distant past. That prophetic vision could have taken place long ago, or that it may take place at some future time, seems easy enough to believe, but to acknowledge that one so inspired of God could appear in the present age is, apparently, more difficult.

Jesus was confronted with this condition of doubt. Many of the people of his time had been taught to believe in the coming of the deliverer, or Messiah; but when he came they not only doubted, but scorned and crucified him. "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" This question, propounded by the disciples of John, as recorded in the seventh chapter of Luke, was answered by the Master not only by referring to his healing works, but by actually healing the sick and sorrowing in the very hour in which the doubting question was put to him.

Scarcely less skepticism confronted Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Emulating the Master, to whom she refers in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 313) as "the most scientific man that ever trod the globe," she answered the world's questionings by obeying his command to "heal the sick," and by unlocking the sacred Scriptures, so that all could understand how this healing is to be accomplished.

Today, throughout the civilized world, Mrs. Eddy is looked upon with increasing reverence. The widespread results of her discovery that matter is nonexistent, because God is All, are becoming known everywhere. Her teachings are in a great degree influencing religious and medical systems. Thinkers are inclining toward the acknowledgment of Mrs. Eddy as a seer and a prophet, as one inspired of God to do the mighty works which she did.

Only divinely inspired work could be carried to the state of completion reached by Mrs. Eddy in founding Christian Science. Her work reflects the divine government. Nome of it will ever need to be undone or changed. It will always apply to the needs of humanity, as it does now. Only inspired work could so stand. Nobody would deny or attempt to change what God has done; and nobody can deny or change what His inspired messenger, our beloved Leader, has done in this age.

One who had been studying Christian Science and attending church services for some time, rebelled at the words "divinely authorized," to be found at the close of the Explanatory Note read from the Christian Science Quarterly at Sunday services. In so far as he had become his own attitude toward Mrs. Eddy, he felt that he had become a devout followers of her leadership. He felt grateful for the blessings that had already come into his life as the result of accepting her teachings. This measure of grateful acceptance was, he thought, sufficient to indicate a complete recognition of Mrs. Eddy's place in Christian Science. However, he realized that his objection to the statement that her writings could have divine authority, in conjunction with the Bible, as part of the Lesson-Sermon, was not compatible with the degree of recognition to which he had attained.

Even though he thought much about this problem, and was deeply concerned about it, he continued to entertain the doubt that Mrs. Eddy's writings could be "divinely authorized," and his objection to the phrase was renewed with each Sunday service. He was unable to see how any writings of the present age could rise to such heights, though he had no difficulty in accepting the divine authorization of the Bible.

It was not long before this student began to realize that throughout the period of his study of Christian Science he had looked upon the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," as a humanly conceived volume, and upon Mrs. Eddy, its author, as one who had a very highly developed human intellect, with a kindness and love for humanity which had prompted her to devote her life to the saving of men. That her works were due to divine inspiration began to dawn on his vision, however, as he began to see that spiritual healing is not of man, but of God, who is Spirit. Hence the one through is this healing power is revealed and made understandable must be divinely inspired—a seer and a prophet.

With this acknowledgment clear in his consciousness, the spiritual source of our Leader's writings became plain to this student, with the result that he felt a closer communion with God, and a greatly enhanced understanding of Mrs. Eddy Physical limitations that had theretofore seemed real began to dissolve into nothingness, as his vision of spiritual Truth ceased to be beclouded by a misunderstanding of Truth messenger. Naturally his rebellion at the words which had previously seemed objectionable gave way to a deep sense of gratitude that be had found and could understand a religion whose Lesson-Sermons are founded upon divine authority. And quite as naturally he found that his capacity to assimilate the teachings of Christian Science was undergoing marked development.

The acknowledgment of Christian Science, that is, the admission and recognition of this Science, can take place in one's consciousness only when false human opinions of Truth are cast out. Being the Science of divine Life, Truth, and Love, it was revealed to Mrs. Eddy through spiritual inspiration. Through prayerful consecration she drew so near to God, Truth, that she received and spiritually acknowledged His Word.

Spirit is complete, and requires complete spiritual acknowledgment by the student. Human concepts and intellectuality are based on matter. They are never complete and never perfect. The Science of Spirit is complete, even as Spirit itself is complete. It is this Science of Spirit which Mrs. Eddy has revealed to us, and our work, as followers of our great Leader, can be carried on progressively if we recognize her discovery as spiritually inspired. This is necessary to the full acknowledgment of Christian Science; therefore necessary to the attainment of the blessings which this Science has in store for us.

When "he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them," Jesus said to his disciples, "Drink ye all of it." This admonition comes with definite emphasis to the student of Christian Science. It is full of meaning, and clearly applicable. To drink in, or to imbibe, the full measure of his teachings, as illumined by Christian Science, is to accept the truth without skepticism or rebellion. On page 167 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy tells us, "Only through radical reliance on Truth can scientific healing power be realized." To rely radically requires us to accept wholly. It does not leave room for partial acceptance, for fragmentary acknowledgment.

"Drink ye all of it," is an unmistakable command. Its meaning is clear. It imposes strict adherence; but in this adherence is to be found genuine freedom. Drink ye all of what? Of "the inspiration of Love, the draught our Master drank and commended to his followers" (ibid., p. 35). This our Leader did. This we all may do.