Article February 11, 1911 Issue

SCIENCE IN BUSINESS

CARL HORTON PIERCE.

When a man or woman begins the study of Christian Science, almost immediately there comes a change in his thought which revolutionizes former methods. This change in thought has been likened to the fermentation of material substances; it resembles leaven, which leaves naught unchanged until it has leavened the whole lump. In Christian Science the business man, in particular, may be found constantly thinking, pondering, weighing, testing his actions, to find whether they are Christlike or not. Strange to say, even within recent years, there have been professing Christians who declared that it was impossible to succeed on honest lines in business. Many might have been found, not a decade ago, who would say that religion was all right in the parlor or in the church edifice, but that self-protection and ability to care for oneself was a prime requisite when it came to the business battle.

This is unquestionably true, but the progressive Scientist finds that the difference between his view and that of the materialist is largely one of definition. For example: the student of Christian Science asks himself, "What is self? How can I protect myself in Science?" Immediately there come into thought the words of Jesus, to the effect that if a man seek his own life he shall lose it. Is the old doctrine of self-preservation scientific, then? The answer comes: If you are merely aiming to protect a material sense of existence, then your attitude is not scientific. "Take no thought for your life," said Jesus; and Mrs. Eddy supplements this with, "Never ask for tomorrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 307). The answer also comes: If you are aiming to express your concept of Christ, then indeed you are amply justified in endeavoring to protect your highest sense of selfhood.

"But," says the materialist, "One must be practical; one has to live. This is a sordid world. Heaven may be won at last, but this is a very practical age when the children must have bread and butter." Then come the arguments pro and con; the weighing of the scientific and the unscientific arguments; the definition of right motive; the outlining of the right policy along which to conduct one's business. Truly the business warfare with oneself is an inspiration. Such opportunities—golden with fruition—for overcomings; such cups to drain; such harvests of blessings to reap—surely the business man has much to be grateful for, because without Christian Science these questions would never have arisen and the doctrine of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth would have continued until the end.

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