Article August 1, 1908 Issue

THE SOURCE OF SUPPLY

J. LOUISE CARTER.

ONE of the numberless benefits of Christian Science is the understanding which it gives of the possibility of overcoming the sense of lack or limitation in any direction. Once, when realizing the truth of being, as taught in Christian Science, that man is the offspring of divine Love, therefore spiritual, immediately there came the thought, "If that is true for you, it is equally true for your brother and sister; and if true for them, it is true also of all your family—but why stop there? Is God a respecter of persons? If this truth is for one family, it is for all families, nations, races,—every intelligent individual idea in the universe is God's offspring, hence spiritual and in His tender, loving care. Again, if one were asked to fill a position in an entirely new field of labor, error might suggest inability to do so, lack of proper preliminary training, etc., but what says Science and Health on this subject? "Science reveals the possibility of achieving all good" (p. 260). So often has this been proved a fact to the Christian Scientist, that upon being confronted with a new problem his first thought is, "It can be done," leaving the particular method of its accomplishment to be worked out later through an understanding of God as the infinite source of intelligence and strength.

Many times, as I sat in the original building of The Mother Church, enjoying the fruit of other people's labor, I deeply regretted having had no share in its erection; consequently when the opportunity was presented to help enlarge the church edifice it was welcomed as a great privilege. Some one suggested that an excellent way to decide upon the proper amount to give toward this Cause, was to take account of stock, so to speak, learn how much one could be sure of giving, then double that amount and rely upon Truth for the rest. This was done in my own case, and the sum required proved to be greater than my yearly income; but I had learned that God is the infinite source of supply, and that "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals" (Science and Health, p. 13), hence God could give through me without limitation, without depriving any one else, and without self-sacrifice on my part. Within a few months I was offered a position with The Christian Science Publishing Society, no one there knowing anything of my desire to aid in this new undertaking, and the salary thus earned made possible the demonstration within a year.

I then considered my work in this direction finished, but it proved otherwise. The following Christmas-time our Leader said that any one wishing to make her a Christmas present could do so by adding to The Mother Church building fund. Here was another opportunity. I owed my health, happiness, and ability to do, to Christian Science, and should neither have known nor experienced anything of its beneficial effects had not Mrs. Eddy given it to the world, not to mention her having lived previously a sufficiently spiritual life to discover the Science. The exact amount which I then gave to the building fund, as a gift to our Leader, was duplicated to me, on Christmas morning, in the form of a check from one who but once before had made me a present.

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