Editorial ANNIE M. KNOTT, CSD          At the beginning of each year thoughtful people instinctively review the experiences of the one just closed, and make a mental estimate of their gains and losses. From the Christian Science viewpoint both of these are important, and our revered Leader makes this clear when she speaks of the "loss of the pleasures and pains and pride of life: gain of its sweet concord, the courage of honest convictions, and final obedience to spiritual law" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 116). All students of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, are aware that their progress is in large measure dependent upon their faithful study of the Lesson-Sermon, the Christianizing influence of which is rapidly extending over the whole world and unifying all thought respecting God and man's relation to Him. No one can deny that the character of men and nations is determined to a large extent by their concepts of God and His law, therefore it were well to respond to the sage's counsel, "Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace."          As the Bible is studied in the light thrown upon it by Science and Health, we see that the human problem has been the same in all ages, the sin, sorrow, and death of mortal experience resulting from ignorance of divine Truth and the life-giving power of spiritual understanding. Here it should be remembered that wrong concepts of God and man, which claim to be true, have but added to the burden of human misery, and this has been seen by many who yet failed to see that the remedy must come from a scientific interpretation of the Scriptures, which in turn would interpret all human experience, individual and collective.          As Mrs. Eddy wisely counsels us to "study thoroughly the letter" of Science, as well as to "imbibe the spirit" (Science and Health, p. 495), the beginner should familiarize himself with the instructions to "students of the Lessons," also with the "explanatory note," on pages two and four of The Christian Science Quarterly. It may also help him to know that there are in all twenty-six subjects considered, these having been given by our Leader when the Lesson-Sermon was introduced. These topics, which cover practically the whole groundwork of theology, are repeated twice in each year, and students would find it very helpful to acquaint themselves with the order in which these fundamental doctrines of Christianity follow each other, which can be easily done by consulting the table of contents at the beginning of each Quarterly. Every vital doctrine of Christian faith is compassed by these topics, and those who study them prayerfully and intelligently go deeply into the Bible, that treasure-house of spiritual lore, guided, by the searchlight of Truth.          Those who have been members of other churches bring to this study opinions formed before they had heard of Christian Science, and these are respectfully considered, especially as we find that men in all ages have believed substantially the same things until emancipated from material belief by the revelation of God as Spirit and man as spiritual; in other words, the truth taught and demonstrated by Christ Jesus, who declared to the Samaritan woman that "God is Spirit" (Rev. Ver.), and that He must be worshiped "in spirit and in truth." We soon learn that the material sense of things cannot be ignored, but that it must be corrected by the truth which has been revealed to this age in Christian Science and scientifically presented in Science and Health. It is clear that a better understanding of God is required than that held by us in the past, since our theological beliefs did not bring us the "signs" which Jesus said should "follow them that believe." These opinions "made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did," to quote from the epistle to the Hebrews, and through the study of the Lessons we learn how to "draw nigh unto God," and thus find healing from all the ills which seem to darken human experience.          In the study of the Lesson we sometimes find in the Bible citations plain statements of the imperfect beliefs about God and man held by mankind, but we also see that the line of progress has ever led, and leads today, toward spiritual being, and this is made clear by the carefully selected readings from Science and Health. Each Lesson contains milk for babes and meat for those more advanced, but in every instance the spiritual food should be unadulterated, and likewise, as the explanatory note puts it, "uncontaminated and unfettered by human hypotheses," that its spiritual import may be more readily perceived and realized. The topic of the Lesson should be kept well in view throughout its study, and the analysis of each section is facilitated by noting carefully the first reading from Science and Health, which is intended to reveal its specific intent; but it should never be forgotten that each student will gain that for which he is ready. One's receptivity cannot be made the standard for another, but at our services everyone may contribute some measure of understanding through a silent but mighty realization of the presence and power of infinite Life, Truth, and Love as therein revealed.          Never before has the Bible been studied as it is today by Christian Scientists, and in the clear light of divine Truth we have glimpses of the holy city of Revelation which, despite mortal blindness to spiritual facts, is an ever-present reality. In it is neither pain, sin, sorrow, nor death, but instead the grandeur and glory of spiritual being; and the daily study of the Lesson-Sermon will enable each one to find his place in this habitation of God and His children. Our Master said that our hearts need not be troubled, for the Father had provided our home. "If it were not so, I would have told you," were his words; then he spoke of the "way," and also the "works" through which abundant entrance would be gained. To reveal these was our Leader's purpose in providing the Lesson-Sermon, and it is our privilege to go to each day's work strengthened by this bread of Truth which "giveth life unto the world."   Editorial by Annie M. Knott, CSD The Christian Science Journal, January, 1913

 

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