Article December 6, 1913 Issue

Right Purpose

WILLIAM D. MC CRACKAN, M.A.

At every apparently enforced halt in his progress the Christian may well examine his true purpose in life. Before he takes the next step he may well pause to ask himself the questions, What is it I really want? Do I want the approval of men, or even self-approval? Do I work now so that I may eventually take mine ease? Do I hope to fill my barns, and then live in idleness?

Mankind delights to plan for the time when it will no longer need to work. It seeks to invent mortal ways and means which will be as near as possible automatic. It tries to prepare a program of events as far ahead as possible, so that surprises shall not intervene and the necessity for keeping awake and watching shall be eliminated. Thus mankind hopes to be able to sleep while the mortal plans it has set in motion will be at work in its behalf.

In her sermon on "Christian Healing" (p. 1) Mrs. Eddy states, "Heaven's favors are formidable: they are calls to higher duties, not discharge from care;" and on page 7 of the same work, referring to "the new tongue," she writes, "It begins with motive, instead of act, where Jesus formed his estimate; and there correcting the motive, it corrects the act that results from the motive." Growth in Christian character brings no "discharge from care," in the sense of producing lethargy or lessening activity. Such growth leads to nobler achievements, greater responsibilities. In his parable of the talents Jesus taught the lesson that faithfulness over a few things fits the Christian to become "ruler over many things." But readiness to take the forward step is dependent upon a willingness to correct any false motive which may lurk in the thought. Unless this is done betimes, no demonstration of the power of good over evil is possible.

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