Christian Science treatment is prayer. The Christian Science practitioner is prayerful in his life and prayerful in his practice. His approach to the healing work is through unlabored prayer. He might be likened to one watching a wonderful sunrise, looking on, as it were, at a beautiful and inevitable event. From the watchtower of spiritual observation he surveys the horizon. He watches for the appearing of the Christ, or Truth. Mary Baker Eddy writes (Christian Science versus Pantheism, p. 1), "The night is far spent, and day is not distant in the horizon of Truth—even the day when all people shall know and acknowledge one God and one Christianity." Thus he sees "the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings" (Mal. 4:2).

When watching a material sunrise, we first notice a faint, almost imperceptible glow in the eastern sky. This is comparable to the first gleam of spiritual understanding dawning upon the darkened and fear-encompassed thought of a patient who comes for Christian Science help. A shaft of silver light strikes upward through the clouds. A golden glow steals over the scene, and the dawn has commenced. The mountains and hills are bathed in light. A few moments before, they were indistinguishable, but now the beauties of the landscape are revealed. Thus the Christian Science practitioner watches with joy the unfoldment of spiritual ideas in the consciousness of his patient. The light of Spirit becomes clearer. It spans and expands until it compasses the whole horizon with rainbow hues of divinity. The dawn of Christian Science in the thought of the patient is inevitable. The dark clouds which cumbered the horizon when the practitioner climbed up to his watchtower of spiritual observation have disappeared. In the place where the problems were piled up in dark, chaotic confusion, we see the glow of divine Love and man safe therein.

At the dawn of Spirit every aspect of Deity is present to bless and to heal. Life is reflected in spiritual vitality; Truth in consistency and integrity; Spirit in spiritual desires and aspirations; Soul in depth and serenity; Love in joy, inspiration, compassion, kindliness, and strength. We watch the transformation from darkness to dawn. It takes place before our eyes; we see it with our spiritual understanding. The Master said, "Watch and pray." He undoubtedly directed us to watch against sin, but may he not also have meant us to watch for the advent of Truth and Love, and thus be spectators of a spiritual and inevitable event?

The dawn of Christian Science in the consciousness of the patient is characterized by order and law: not restrictive law, but the law of divine Love. There is variety, interest, peace, and power at each stage of spiritual experience. Nothing happens out of order. All is regulated by divine Truth, empowered by divine Life, and protected by divine Love. The order of revelation, like the order in Genesis, cannot be reversed. At the material dawn the darkness does not pop back unexpectedly when the sun has once risen above the horizon. The sun cannot suddenly change its course and disappear beneath the surface of the earth. "Absurd!" you exclaim. But when it comes to our expectancy of the dawn of the healing Christ in human consciousness, do we not sometimes forget the inevitability of the event? We may believe the healing can be reversed. We may believe the dark clouds of fear can gather again and obscure the Christ. And all this because perhaps we believe we have done something personally to hasten the advent. Let us remember our Master's words (John 5:30), "I can of mine own self do nothing."

Today in the consciousness of every seeker for truth the healing light of the Christ, the dawn of Christian Science, is being inevitably revealed by Spirit. Watching from the watchtower of spiritual observation, we feel uplifted, renewed, rejuvenated. As we watch truth's glorious appearing in the thought of another, we realize it also includes the uplifting and purifying of ourselves. We are spectators of an event in consciousness, a divine event, an event which portends eternal unfoldment. Something spiritual, something wholly good, yes, something inevitable, is taking place.

If you are ever tempted to believe that Christian Science is difficult, go up to your watchtower and watch for the simplicity of its first appearing. Watch for the Christ, the idea of Truth, and whatever you need to see, the Christ, or Truth, will reveal to you. Those who struggle and toil in the valley of depression must make their way up the mountain. Perhaps the way is steep at first. The road winds, and there are rough places to negotiate. But the path is blazed by two reliable witnesses who know the road. At each halting place we consult the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. The inspired writers of these books have marked the way. From the summit of the mountain the view is limitless, but we need not wait on time or altitude to give us the first fruits of our work. The first fruits of the Spirit are gathered in the valley of humility. Shelter also can be obtained as we journey. There is always the shadow of a great rock in every weary land. As we travel up the mountain of endeavor, others will join us. We are not alone. We find a directing finger at every crossroad, a spring of clear water for every thirsty tongue. We can never retrace our steps when the dawn of Christian Science comes and when practitioner and patient ascend the watchtower together as spectators of the spiritual and inevitable event. Mrs. Eddy writes: "I am glad you enjoy the dawn of Christian Science; you must reach its meridian. Watch, pray, demonstrate" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 254).

Robert Ellis Key