Article September 7, 1935 Issue

Fruitage

ALICE LOUISE MERRILL

Every sincere person desires to see his work succeed and to enjoy the fruitage of his own labor. Disappointed hopes have caused many to realize that an understanding of God is essential to progress, and that spiritual preparation alone ensures success. The inquirer then asks himself: Where is the right starting point? How can I acquire these Godlike qualities of thought which will yield the desired harvest?

Inspired by the wisdom gained through years of fruitful activity, Paul declared, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." What a glorious assurance of freedom and protection this declaration of truth conveys! It is plain that when the desire to understand and to express these qualities of Christian character is put into practical operation there is no law which can operate to obstruct or to interfere with their successful demonstration.

An essential requirement in the search for truth is honesty of purpose. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes on page 272 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "The spiritual sense of truth must be gained before Truth can be understood. This sense is assimilated only as we are honest, unselfish,loving, and meek. In the soil of an 'honest and good heart' the seed must be sown; else it beareth not much fruit." Mrs. Eddy proved, in her own experience, that purification of thought and holy endeavor alone enable one to perceive the presence of the Christ and humbly, prayerfully achieve worthiness to work in His vineyard. There we learn to tend lovingly the plants of kindness, gentleness, forgiveness, charity—those plants that bear fruit after their kind. There we also learn to refuse to indulge in fruitless criticism of others and in fruitless condemnation of ourselves. Neither will the alert worker allow discouragement or doubt to interfere with his calm trust and confidence in the Father's loving care and provision. Just as the sun's warm rays ripen and perfect the fruit on the vine, so joyous expectancy and confidence in ever-present good sweeten and enrich experience.

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