The student of music, having learned some of the fundamentals and the technique required for playing an instrument, turns to perfecting his interpretation of the compositions he is studying. This takes practice. Perfection in performance can be gained in no other way. The more advanced the student, the more intensified his practice; and this practice, when accompanied by love and joy in the doing of it, results in success—the ability to interpret truly the composer's idea.

The student of Christian Science, in learning the fundamental truths of divine metaphysics and putting them into practice in his daily life, is paralleling the student of music in his line of action. Each truth learned must be put into practice to bring out the harmony and true beauty of life.

The Bible and the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, contain the Science of God and man, the knowledge of which brings harmony and joy into human experience. This Science, when studied and understood, awakens the individual to new views of God as good and of man in His image and likeness—the manifestation of good. There is nothing in the whole world that can equal the joy and inspiration of a working understanding that God, good, is the only reality here and now.

Mrs. Eddy gives the definition of "good" as, "God; Spirit; omnipotence; omniscience; omnipresence; omni-action." ^{Science and Health, p. 587;} Because God, Spirit, is good in nature, good is reflected everywhere; it is all-power, all-science, all-presence, all-action. When we begin to put this concept of good into practice in our daily lives, wonderful things happen. We see our neighbor as a child of God, reflecting good. We see our environment, our work, our supply, as God-given and therefore good and satisfying. We come to accept the divine Principle, Love, as the Giver of all good, the only power, the all-presence; as that which animates all real being.

A newcomer to Christian Science may ask, "But what of evil?" An indifferent pianist may misread notes and play incorrectly, but this mistake, like all misconceptions, exists only as a false interpretation. It would be recognized as such by the true musician and not accepted.

In the first chapter of Genesis, which records the revelation of the true spiritual creation, we have no hint of evil or of discord of any nature. All is brought forth in beauty, order, and perfection by God, the Father and Mother of all. We have also the assurance that this creation is complete as well as good, for we read, "God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." ^{Gen. 1:1;} If mortal belief presents an error which would seem to bring inharmony into our experience, we can detect it as a mistake and not accept it, for Principle knows only perfection.

Under the marginal heading "Proof in practice," Mrs. Eddy writes: "A musician demonstrates the beauty of the music he teaches in order to show the learner the way by practice as well as precept. Jesus' teaching and practice of Truth involved such a sacrifice as makes us admit its Principle to be Love. This was the precious import of our Master's sinless career and of his demonstration of power over death. He proved by his deeds that Christian Science destroys sickness, sin, and death." ^{Science and Health, p. 26.}

Jesus was the greatest teacher of all time, for he understood divine Principle to be Life, Truth, and Love and was able to prove by demonstration the power of good over evil, of health over sickness, and life over death. Many among the throngs who witnessed these proofs were blessed and uplifted. We today who follow the Master's teaching and put into practice the holy precepts contained in the Bible and clarified by Mrs. Eddy's God-given revelation of divine Science have much for which to be grateful. Ours is the opportunity, even in these modern times when thought seems so dazzled by materiality and the desire to indulge it, to prove that the only real attraction lies in the things of Spirit. These are unchanging, eternal, and satisfying.

If we hold consistently to the true view of God, man, and the universe, we shall find discord giving place to harmony, Truth dissipating error, hate dissolving in the presence of Love; and Life's strain will be one of sweetest melody.