Article May 11, 1907 Issue

SCIENTIFIC SUCCESS

HENRY BRADFORD SIMMONS.

Many men are conscientiously striving in their careers to solve the problem of a scientifically successful business life—a success born of Principle and not a purely outward showing born of will-power, which may wither away. One may be apparently successful in business, but if he is making a god of material accumulation, instead of laying up treasures in heaven, he cannot be a truly successful man. The only true success is born of understanding, and is attained by listening to the voice of Truth.

As we gain a scientific sense of the infinite, we learn to measure success and riches by our dependence upon God, and gradually we gain the freedom manifested by Jesus when he told Peter to take the piece of silver from the fish's mouth, or when he broke the mesmeric material spell for the multitude and brought to them a sense of abundant supply. The recognition of divine Truth brings a mental richness which cannot know want. It is reaching the source of all supply and will certainly bring a scientific success. Self-seeking and a desire for monopoly are detrimental to success, for if one is neither mentally broad enough nor willing to see abundance for others,—that in God is unlimited supply,—he will necessarily be cramped and limited.

The word luck is obsolete in Christian Science, for we know where all good originates; and one can bring a taste of heaven to earth with a certainty and consciousness of power which will not fade away, for its substance is in Mind. Let us destroy those will-o-the-wisps called change and luck, and gain an honest basis for work. If we do not bring out the immediate manifestation of harmony, self-examination will show whether greed, avarice, pride, or conceit are obscuring the childlike humility, honesty, and reliance on God so necessary in the business world. Our beloved Leader says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 155), "Bring forth fruit—signs following—that your prayers be not hindered. Pray without ceasing. Watch diligently; never desert the post of spiritual observation and self-examination. Strive for self-abnegation, justice, meekness, mercy, purity, love."

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