If all the words we have on record as having been spoken by Christ Jesus were assembled into one address, it could be delivered in a couple of hours. The fact that the Master's words were accompanied by his outstanding demonstrations and proofs of their truth indicates the power he knew them to have when he said (Mark 31:31), "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."

Mark pictures Jesus as a man of action, a man of many good deeds. Matthew represents him as a teacher, an incomparable healer and exponent of the kingdom of heaven. We know that he was early about his Father's business, and that his brief career was a series of proofs that he was the Christ. He went ever forward demonstrating God's law of ever-present harmony. He knew no discouragement or failure, for he knew no will but that of his Father. He knew that his works were of the Father, and he commanded his followers to do the works that he did. He watched and prayed, and admonished them to do likewise.

Christian Science shows progress to be the law of God. Impelled by this law, its students go joyously forward. They are keenly alert to the importance of maintaining unwavering courage and obeying humbly the commands of Christ Jesus while following the upward way he outlined for all mankind. They are unceasingly grateful to Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, for the many guideposts she placed along the road as she too followed the Christ. And as they journey, they are mindful of the words in her Message to The Mother Church for 1900 (p. 2), "The song of Christian Science is, 'Work—work—work—watch and pray.'"

With this song in her heart our Leader went forward to establish her church, overcome opposition, and give to the world an unexcelled example of courage and perseverance. Working, watching, and praying, she knew no retreat, consented to no defeat, but marched on to higher achievements and greater victory. Not only did she obey the Master's command to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils" (Matt. 10:8), but after years of consecrated study and demonstration of the great truths of the Bible she wrote under God's direction the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," so that we too might learn to do the works our Master commanded us to do. On page 15 of this textbook she writes, "We must resolve to take up the cross, and go forth with honest hearts to work and watch for wisdom, Truth, and Love." Incisively, on pages 33 and 34, she asks, "Are all who eat bread and drink wine in memory of Jesus willing truly to drink his cup, take his cross, and leave all for the Christ-principle?" Faithful students of Christian Science strive to do so, and to go forward in spite of all difficulties and obstructions along the way. They have learned through their study of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook that their prayers are answered in the measure that they heed Paul's exhortation (I Thess. 5:17), "Pray without ceasing"; that is, keep your desires pure and put them into practice. However loudly error screams, it cannot intimidate the advancing Christian warrior bearing the cross and pressing on to the beat of the joyous song of Christian Science.

An old story is told about a drummer boy, new at his post of duty, who was ordered to play a retreat during a very decisive battle. Upon receiving the order, the boy brightened up his forward march. A second order for a march of retreat brought the same response from the little drummer. A third command for a retreat was sent. This time the drummer went into his forward march music with such inspiration that the soldiers took new courage and marched to victory.

The captain, although overjoyed at the unexpected outcome of the battle, demanded an explanation from the drummer boy as to why he had disobeyed the order for a retreat march. The boy respectfully replied, "Sir, the great leader who taught me to drum did not teach me a march for retreat!"

Mortal mind broadcasts to the world a continuous flow of commands to retreat to the dark caves of discouragement, fear, sin, apathy, death; but the singer of the song of Christian Science takes no orders from error. Christ's commands are uppermost in his thinking. He looks courageously upward, acknowledging only God as the governor of all. He proclaims divine Love as the only presence and denounces with divine authority the claim of mortal mind that there is a power apart from God. His thoughts are attuned to the forward march song of Christian Science, and he declares, "My great Leader taught me no song of retreat!"

Then sang Moses and the children of Israel, ... I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously. ... The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation.—Exodus 15:1, 2.