Article September 30, 1911 Issue

The word "worry" covers a multitude of sins, according...

Howard C. Van Meter

Portland (Ore.) Oregonian

The word "worry" covers a multitude of sins, according to the general belief of mortals, and any attempt directly or indirectly to endorse it would not help humanity to any degree of the dominion we are encouraged to look and strive for, because it would tend to justify any and all leanings in the direction of fear. To the average person worry and fear go together. A rational consideration of certain possibilities and what our action should be, if results contrary to expectation were to prevail, affords opportunity for such intelligent thought and preciseness of action as will reduce to a minimum the likelihood of such possibilities coming to pass. If every individual were able to resist the fear that accompanies the temptation of an anticipated reversal of hope and desire, he would thereby strengthen his ability to act with mental equanimity now and take such precaution as will forestall the unfortunate possibilities.

The baneful nature of worrying about the future is that it unfits the individual to enjoy now whatever is at hand and also prevents through the presence of fear a proper analysis of whatever the situation may be and what is required to prevent an undesirable outcome which might mean disappointment and loss. To say that "perfect transquality implies perfect satisfaction with things as they are" is to fall short of a complete mental grasp of what satisfaction means and would be ignoring the evidence of wrongdoing and the results therefrom. This is not to be justified at all, as the proper conduct requires that such attention be paid as will insure the abolishment of the unsatisfactory conditions. A mental state of blissful inactivity in the presence of existing evil is to be deplored, and the blissful unconsciousness of its presence does not do away with it, which is the thing desired; but there may be a difference in the method of accomplishing its destruction through dealing with mental causation rather than with effects simply.

Christian Science may be classified with the various philosophies that urge the individual not to worry. Christian Science does not leave him, however, with the bare statement of admonition, but gives him a reason for such a state of mind as will enable him to proceed with an absence of fear, which either insures a favorable outcome to his undertaking, or at least renders him less susceptible to disappointment if it confronts him.

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