Watching Point 489

489 — WATCH that you observe a scientific order in demonstration. When we take an advanced step in its order, we can maintain and hold it; but it is not wise to try to overreach our position.

On a certain date in 1908 or 1909 Mrs. Eddy directed her maid to throw away her flesh-brush which hung by her bed, and which she occasionally used to rub her back. Then she wrote in the front of her Bible with the date, “I threw away my flesh-brush today,” and signed her name.

We learn from this that Mrs. Eddy was meeting the claims of materiality in their order, just as one cleans up his lawn first by picking up the papers, then the leaves, and then smaller objects. The handling of the claim of an itch does not seem to be an error calling for demonstration, since it is so easily taken care of by scratching it. Yet Mrs. Eddy finally reached the point where even that slight acknowledgment of the reality of sensation in matter received her rebuke and correction. She recognized the demonstration as notable enough to deserve a place in the Bible.

In the textbook we are told to emerge gently from matter into Spirit — but not slowly. We must take the steps as they are placed before us each day, but we should not try to skip any steps through pride or untempered zeal.