"STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED"

MARGARET A. LARSON

A Friend of the writer one day put this question to herself: Why do I not study more, so that I may more readily demonstrate the truth as taught in Christian Science? Her answer came promptly: I don't have time to study; and besides, it is very difficult to keep my thought clear when no one with whom I am closely associated is interested in Christian Science. At first this seemed a most convincing answer. But presently other questions emerged to challenge it: Why did she not have time for study? Why was she not able to keep her thought clear, regardless of whose presence she was in? Might not others become interested in Christian Science because of her example?

She was at home the day these thoughts came to her, and she had awakened that morning under a sense of pressure because of having much to do around the house on this day off from the office. Nevertheless, she went to her desk, where her books were kept, and opened "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" to these words of Mary Baker Eddy's (p. 253): "If you believe in and practise wrong knowingly, you can at once change your course and do right."

This was extremely comforting, for she knew instantly she could find time to study if that was what she desired, regardless of circumstances or any belief of pressure. She knew that her earnest desire was to be a Christian Scientist, and she also knew she could never consider Christian Science a theory, calling merely for a smattering of so-called knowledge. One had to he in earnest about God when one believed in Him; there was no half-way, halfhearted measure here. And when one desired to learn more about anything, so as readily to demonstrate it, one let nothing interfere with that desire.

Fast on the heel of this awakening she considered the second half of the answer to her question—that those in the office where she was employed were not interested in Christian Science. And again something was uncovered in her own thought: the suspicion that things might not go well with her if they found out she was a Christian Scientist. She turned again to Science and Health and read this comforting and assuring statement (p. 20): "The truth is the centre of all religion. It commands sure entrance into the realm of Love."

If, she reasoned, she accepted the first statement, she could not be disturbed in the least by the thought that the religious views of others might conflict with her own and therefore govern their attitude toward her. If truth commanded "sure entrance into the realm of Love," and truth was "the centre of all religion," she need never feel any sense of reluctance at being known as a Christian Scientist.

The instantaneous correction of her former erroneous attitude and establishment of receptive consciousness showed this student that every available moment given to the study of Christian Science would bring increased understanding, which in turn meant fruitage— the result of demonstration. She saw that she had limited herself and bound herself over to failure by ignoring her true status as a child of God, dwelling in timeless being, lacking nothing.

Understanding that "the truth is the centre of all religion," she realized that there were not in reality religions many any more than there were gods many; that neither through a false sense of consideration for others nor through fear should she hesitate to utilize the power of God for her own or another's good. She understood more of what was meant by Paul's words to Timothy (II Tim. 2:15),"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

In the dictionary she found that the verb study meant to ponder, to meditate, and she realized there were countless minutes during the day when she could ponder and receive the light of Truth. Now her thought was roused to the contemplation of the wonder of God's eternal universe, unconfined, and of man, His image and likeness; and consequently the sense of pressure she had previously experienced vanished into native nothingness.

When the day ended, this student of Christian Science realized that her home had never appeared so immaculate. In her present state of thinking she knew that time had had nothing to do with it. She saw the demonstration in the light of loosed bonds; she knew that although it would seem that she had spent the entire day at home, actually she had traveled far along the road of spiritual-mindedness. Opening "Miscellaneous Writings" with a deep sense of gratitude, she read Mrs. Eddy's words (p. 127): "When a hungry heart petitions the divine Father-Mother God for bread, it is not given a stone,—but more grace, obedience, and love. If this heart, humble and trustful, faithfully asks divine Love to feed it with the bread of heaven, health, holiness, it will be conformed to a fitness to receive the answer to its desire; then will flow into it the 'river of His pleasure,' the tributary of divine Love, and great growth in Christian Science will follow,—even that joy which finds one's own in another's good."

These words seemed to flow into the student's mind like a benediction. Meekly and gratefully she thought, I thank God there is always time for prayer, and therefore there is always opportunity to make known God's wondrous works to men.

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"HONESTY IS SPIRITUAL POWER"

January 12, 1952

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