Article July 10, 1909 Issue

RAISE YOUR PRICE

DR. EDMUND F. BURTON.

The mastery of a situation is gained through a true sense of the values involved, and that wisdom which is "the principal thing," which is removed from all perplexity and doubt and which gives poise of mind and certainty of action, is this understanding of values. The teachings of Jesus iterate and reiterate this truth, and abound with instructions as to how to determine true values and as to what are the really valuable and substantial things. There is nothing in the operation of Christian Science which goes farther toward convincing its faithful students that it is the truth and wisdom of the Mind that was in Christ Jesus, that the enlightenment which it brings in this very direction, and the ability which it gives to determine relative values, not as matters of opinion, but accurately and scientifically.

Jesus said, "What is man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Science and Health (p. 477) defines Soul as "the substance, Life, and intelligence of man." Jesus again taught that life is the understanding of God. Thus the inspired declaration is plain that the whole material world is too small a price to accept in exchange for that which alone is life, the understanding of God, Truth. How little do men realize this wisdom when they accept, with thanks, the most pitifully worthless fragments of this world as payment in full for the giving up of that which is theirs.

Surely Esau was not the first nor the last man to sell his birthright for a mess of pottage. Whatever is allowed to stand in place of or hide from view the title to and possession of this understanding of God is accepted as a price for the birthright of eternal life. As such price there is often accepted a passing sensual gratification; the fleeting opinion or praise of others as deluded as ourselves; that which is called self-respect, but which is only a suggested belief as to the consensus of mortal-mind opinion; the holding of a title in state, city, corporation, church, or other organization, and the grotesque belief, derived from a false sense of real values, that such place or office sets one above his fellows, and that it is more worthy to be ministered to than to minister. Some are even glad to accept for their lives and the possibilities thereof, a bare getting through of the days without unusual physical discomfort.

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