In order to apprehend more, we must put into prac-
tice what we already know. We must recollect that
323:15 Truth is demonstrable when understood, and
that good is not understood until demonstrated.
If "faithful over a few things," we shall be made rulers
323:18 over many; but the one unused talent decays and is lost.
When the sick or the sinning awake to realize their need
of what they have not, they will be receptive of divine
323:21 Science, which gravitates towards Soul and away from
material sense, removes thought from the body, and ele-
vates even mortal mind to the contemplation of some-
323:24 thing better than disease or sin. The true idea of God
gives the true understanding of Life and Love, robs the
grave of victory, takes away all sin and the delusion that
323:27 there are other minds, and destroys mortality.
Childlike receptivity
The effects of Christian Science are not so much seen
as felt. It is the "still, small voice" of Truth
323:30 uttering itself. We are either turning away
from this utterance, or we are listening to it and going
up higher. Willingness to become as a little child and
324:1 to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of
the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks
324:3 and joy to see them disappear, - this disposition helps
to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification
of sense and self is a proof of progress. "Blessed are the
324:6 pure in heart: for they shall see God."
Narrow pathway
Unless the harmony and immortality of man are be-
coming more apparent, we are not gaining the true idea
324:9 of God; and the body will reflect what gov-
erns it, whether it be Truth or error,
understanding or belief, Spirit or matter. Therefore
324:12 "acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace."
Be watchful, sober, and vigilant. The way is straight
and narrow, which leads to the understanding that God
324:15 is the only Life. It is a warfare with the flesh, in which
we must conquer sin, sickness, and death, either here
or hereafter, - certainly before we can reach the goal
324:18 of Spirit, or life in God.
Paul's enlightenment
Paul was not at first a disciple of Jesus but a perse-
cutor of Jesus' followers. When the truth first appeared
324:21 to him in Science, Paul was made blind,
and his blindness was felt; but spiritual
light soon enabled him to follow the example and teach-
324:24 ings of Jesus, healing the sick and preaching Christian-
ity throughout Asia Minor, Greece, and even in imperial
Rome.
324:27 Paul writes, "If Christ [Truth] be not risen, then is
our preaching vain." That is, if the idea of the suprem-
acy of Spirit, which is the true conception of being,
324:30 come not to your thought, you cannot be benefited by
what I say.
Abiding in Life
Jesus said substantially, "He that believeth in me
325:1 shall not see death." That is, he who perceives the
true idea of Life loses his belief in death. He who has
325:3 the true idea of good loses all sense of evil,
and by reason of this is being ushered into the
undying realities of Spirit. Such a one abideth in Life, -
325:6 life obtained not of the body incapable of supporting life,
but of Truth, unfolding its own immortal idea. Jesus
gave the true idea of being, which results in infinite bless-
325:9 ings to mortals.