Article November 21, 1908 Issue

THE CERTAINTY OF REWARD

WILLIS F. GROSS

The teaching of the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation is to the effect that men reap as they sow and only as they sow. In spite of the oft-repeated declaration that the day of reaping is as certain as the sowingtime, there is a fear that one may fail to receive the reward of well-doing, and there is also a hope that in some way one may escape the penalty for doing wrong. It is evident that the one error of belief tends in some degree to encourage the sinner in his indulgence of evil, while the other may discourage the one who is striving to do right, because it leaves him in doubt as to what will be the result of his labors. A sense of discouragement does much to hinder his progress. Give a man the assurance that he will finally succeed in the thing he has undertaken, and he will work more faithfully, sacrifice more willingly, and wait more patiently, than if he has a feeling of uncertainty as to what the future has in store for him. The thought that possibly failure will be the only result of all his labor and sacrifice, has a tendency to discourage him, and many times prevents the doing of the little more which is necessary to bring success.

The law of cause and effect attends mortal man at every step in the way. Nothing comes by chance. He may not always know what has produced a certain effect, but his ignorance does not change the fact or its results. As the law of gravitation was in force thousands of years before it was discovered by mortal man and he learned how to turn it to his use, so the unchanging law of divine Mind has governed every advancing step in humanity's spiritual progress, even though the Science of being was not understood. The understanding of Mind and its laws reveals the way to harmony. It shows just what must be done to bring success. Hence the importance that men be guided by the Science of Mind instead of a personal sense of it. Discouragement is largely due to human ignorance of Truth. Error presents the dark side of things, but the understanding of Truth lifts thought above the seeming and inspires with hope and courage.

In the degree that Christian Science is understood, it destroys fear and doubt and inspires the student with the thought that his reward is sure. He does not always know how great a work must be done to bring about a desired result. When he is tempted to become impatient, as he sometimes is because his expectations are not fully realized at once, he is reminded that he cannot reap until the harvest-time comes. Success is attained only by abiding in Truth and patiently taking each step as it is pointed out. The wise student is not discouraged if his reward comes not quickly. He does not expect to see the result when only a part of the steps have been taken. He is willing to do all that is required of him. To human sense it may take time to meet the requirements of Truth, but time has nothing to do with the result. It is obedience which brings the reward.

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