Article August 12, 1911 Issue

VALUE OF QUIET WORK

W. H. JENKINS.

Most people's lives are largely made up of preparation for and the doing of some work. Sometimes we are called upon for an effort which tests us. The pupil in school may be suddenly asked questions to demonstrate his knowledge of a subject, the mechanic to do some difficult work, the teacher to explain some rule, the writer for an article on short notice, a speaker to make an extemporaneous address, or the Christian Science practitioner may be called upon to heal some case of great suffering. The ability to respond to such calls quickly depends on how well one has done his quiet work when alone.

No one can give what he does not possess. The desire to take our part in the world's work is right, but one cannot well help another to work his problem until he has worked out his own. The habit of going to God alone, and not to other people, should be established. It is well for students of Christian Science to counsel together and exchange helpful experiences, but neither this nor any public service can take the place of the work one should do alone: The word work expresses the right thought, for we must work for the understanding of truth. Mrs. Eddy tells us that Science and Health needs to be studied, not merely perused. We get little benefit from reading carelessly and only when convenient. We need to read, if possible, at stated times, as well as in our spare moments, and to concentrate thought on paragraphs which specially help us, reading them over and over carefully and prayerfully, This is study. Besides this, we should strive to come to the reading of the book in a childlike and teachable condition of mind, and continually watch to keep out the thoughts which would hinder the unfoldment of its truths. All this is work.

The best results follow if we work quietly, alone with God. We shall know, and others will also, that the motive is right, and not that of the Pharisee who prayed to be heard of men. It is well to go to our closet; but when this is not possible we can enter into our sanctuary, even when with other people, and shutting out the world about us can work quietly and so obtain rest and strength. This quiet work is a means of keeping our lives filled with the consciousness of Spirit, like the spring which is so filled by underground reservoirs that it overflows and makes all the vegetation around it luxuriant. When we thus pray continuously and conscientiously, the overflow of spirituality from our own life will bless others.

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