A Loyal, active student of Christian Science cherishes and utilizes the ideals of his religion. Through his faithful observance of them they serve him daily as mental models, as standards of perfection by which to mold his character and shape his life. They guide his judgment, exalt his aims, consecrate his motives, and purify his affections.

The natural love which right-thinking people hold for spiritual ideals has led many to take up the study of Christian Science. This innate affection for the things of Spirit, however, is not alone responsible for the remarkable growth of the Christian Science movement. The practical value of Christian Science, seen in the fact that its ideals can be applied in human experience with beneficial results, finds a responsive chord in the human desire for release from pain and discord.

Mrs. Eddy says on page 259 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea,—perfect God and perfect man,—as the basis of thought and demonstration." Having accepted this statement, the thoughtful and sincere student of Christian Science ceases to argue for the existence of that which is unknown in the universe of Truth. He understands, however, that while accepting God-bestowed perfection as the reality of his being he does not claim immediately to have attained perfection. He realizes that such attainment coincides with the spiritualization of his thought. He also recognizes his responsibility in accepting the idea of perfection. He knows that such acceptance involves progressive demonstration, and that satisfying proof lies in the clear spiritual realization which results in humanly evident improvement. Therefore, his spiritual insight is ever accompanied with endeavor of a practical nature.

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, not only loved and lived its ideals, but proved them to be practical by her works of healing. She insists that "Truth is demonstrable when understood, and that good is not understood until demonstrated" (ibid., p. 323). When answering a question concerning "the basis of Mind-healing," Mrs. Eddy replied, in part (Rudimental Divine Science, pp. 6, 7), "The proof of what you apprehend, in the simplest definite and absolute form of healing, can alone answer this question of how much you understand of Christian Science Mind-healing."

Fidelity to spiritual ideas and the ideals which express them is vital to success in all right human endeavor. This fact becomes obvious when it is understood that one's experiences in human life are largely determined by the quality of one's thinking. Thought precedes action. At times, an outward effect is believed to be obstructing constructive effort, whereas the fact is that the belief in the reality of that effect is being maintained in one's own thinking. A certain circumstance in the experience of a student of Christian Science serves to illustrate the point.

The student was engaged by The Mother Church as a War Relief Worker during the World War. Unfamiliar with army rules and regulations, he made mistakes which incurred reprimands. The incidents occurred at Division Headquarters, and a dread of this particular section of the camp developed in the worker's thought. In spite of his daily attempts to rise above the erroneous sense, he found himself avoiding camp headquarters. In due course, however, he was forced to go there in line of duty. A notice was received from the War Relief Committee in Boston, instructing him to call upon the commanding officer, make known to him the worker's presence in the camp, and acquaint him with the nature of the work.

Upon receipt of this notice, the latent fear in the worker's thought became active in the form of resentment and resistance to his instructions. He was reluctant to carry them out. Nevertheless, he requested an interview with the commanding officer, but was courteously informed by the aide-de-camp that it could not be granted. Subsequently, five additional requests were made with the same result. It was at this point that the worker gave honest recognition to his need for self-correction, and set to work to conquer the enemy within his own thought.

With the aid of the Concordances, practically everything Mrs. Eddy has written on the subject of obedience was prayerfully studied and applied to the problem. As a more ideal sense of obedience gradually permeated the worker's thought, the obstructing errors were cleared away. He now realized that obtaining the officer's permission was the most important part of his demonstration of authorized activity in the camp. It fulfilled the lawful demand that all things be done with respect for constituted authority.

With renewed inspiration, and in full accord with his instructions, the worker again sought and this time obtained an interview with the commanding officer. Thus it was demonstrated that right thinking brings its own reward. The officer not only gave his full approval to the Christian Science plan of camp welfare work, but showed his appreciation by lending the worker a large tent. This tent, which was equipped with the Bible, Mrs. Eddy's works, and the Christian Science periodicals, became a haven of true rest and spiritual refreshment to many.

The very essence of the teachings of Christian Science is unity and co-operation. The legitimate effect of these teachings upon its great brotherhood of students is greater usefulness and the expansion of loving service. Obedience to the rules of Christian Science brings to the individual a better realization of the need for self-control under divine Principle; and the achievement of self-control, together with self-improvement, is a great contribution to the advancement of the Cause of Christian Science.

The study of Christian Science, together with faithful adherence to its ideals, unfolds our true nature. Let us bear in thought the value of this spiritual culture. It enables us to perceive and appreciate the beauty, immortality, and permanence—yea, the unchanging perfection—which God expresses in His creation. Jesus prayed, "Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever." Think of the wondrous import of this prayer in the light which Christian Science throws upon it! Christian Science reveals God's kingdom at hand. Then, despite appearances to the contrary, we are in reality citizens of His kingdom now, with the right to pray: Thine is the kingdom in which we live; Thine is the power by which we live; Thine is the glory for which we live.