Yielding to the Irresistible, Wading in Again

                                            (By my husband,
                                                   John Robert Howell)


        Earlier in my study of Christian Science, I would always avoid the trial in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (p. 430 ff.)  Like Joe Friday on the old "Dragnet" I just wanted the facts, if I wanted anything, truths laid out like a string of bread crumbs which I could at least make a pretense of following.  The trial required thought, and why didn't Mrs. Eddy just tell me in plain English what she waned me to know?  It is obvious now that she treated the subject in the way which would best educate the reader if he was of a mind to be educated and had the humility and patience to ponder the proceedings.

        The trial takes up over 12 pages of Science and Health, and it is certain Mrs. Eddy didn't spend even one sentence on something superfluous.  No one will regret exchanging his low-cut shoes or sneakers for some serious high-top boots and wading into the rial, the further the better.  I have wondered about ruminating after feeling ill, but of course the moment we feel ill is the moment we can choose one of two courses.  We can, as Mrs. Eddy says, promptly and persistently oppose the suggestion of illness with Christian Science or we can ruminate and let the trial begin.  Mortal Man may be the defendant, but the allegory quickly goes from "a man" to "the patient" to "the prisoner", which is his designation until the final page.  Mrs. Eddy may have used Mortal Man as the title of the defendant in order to emphysize the need to depersonalize the claims of Personal Sense.

        It is also a point of note that the prisoner became ill in the act of doing good.  This seems to resonate with the test of all prayer in Science and Health, "In public prayer we often go beyond our convictions, beyond the honest standpoint of fervent desire.  If we are not secretly yearning and openly striving for the accomplishment of all we ask, our prayers are 'vain repetitions,' such as the heathen use.  If our petitons are sincere, we labor for what we ask; and our Father, who seeth in secret, will reward us openly.  Can the mere public expression of our desires increase them?  Do we gain the omnipotent ear sooner by words than by thoughts?  Even if prayer if sincere, God knows our need before we tell Him or our fellow-beings about it."   (13:5-16) and that equally compelling statement in Miscellaneous Writings, "Too soon we cannot turn from disease in the body to find disease in the mortal mind, and its cure, in working for God.  Thought must be made better, and human life more fruitful, for the divine energy to move it onward and upward." (343:5-9)  Viewed in the light of these passages the trial adumbrates a sobering obligation for all Christian Scientists, but one which should be joyfully undertaken.

        If we are sincere Christian Scientists, the Court of Spirit may be in session frequently, perhaps daily and hourly if we are confronting faithfully and courageously the legions of errors that beset all mortals.

        It is imperative that Christian Science be our counsel in these trials.  If so, we can confidently expect a verdict of "not guilty".  The trial in Science and Health has much to offer and unfolds endlessly to our attempts to embrace it.