Article January 20, 1912 Issue

LEGITIMATE PROGRESS

HELEN FRIEND-ROBINSON.

Mrs. Eddy declares that "progress is the law of God" (Science and Health, p. 233), and this law rightfully demands from every individual ultimate spiritual perfection. This goal, however, is not won suddenly either in this world or in the so-called world to come, for we are further told that "universal salvation rests on progression and probation, and is unattainable without them" (Science and Health, p. 291). By taking the progressive steps as taught in Christian Science, the student should advance daily in understanding, so that he may be encouraged to continue his way ever sheltered from the storms and stress of circumstances by God's eternal law of harmony, for we have comforting assurance that this law demands only what can certainly be fulfilled.

It does not matter what the dream is from which Christian Science awakens one, the problem of working out his own salvation should start from the particular point where Christian Science finds him, and unless legitimate progress is made there is a missing link in the chain of his life-problem which needs to be found at once and welded into its rightful place. Surely the best place to seek for this is in ever-renewed and consecrated study of the Bible, in conjunction with its spiritual interpretation as revealed in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. If at times the way seems dark and the progress slow, it is only "by patient continuance in well doing" that it becomes illumined with grateful joy, and one's avenues of usefulness are perpetually enlarged. The student who is alert quickly learns that the only place to solve the problem of real advancement is in his own consciousness; in fact, he cannot watch too closely every phase of his own thinking, lest jealousy, criticism, or some other of the myriad forms of error find unsuspected lodgment in this sacred sanctuary. No debris of error should be allowed to collect there, subsequently to block his way; and the prophet's words, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts," should be prayerfully heeded.

Since each one has eternity in which to work out his individual problems, and disregard of the old maxim, "Haste maketh waste," may prove a serious stumbling-block in his way, it is important that the student should early learn not to go too fast by allowing himself to be influenced by the hurry and scurry of mortal existence; neither should he go too slowly by succumbing to the error of self-condemnation and discouragement which would keep him forever at work to retrieve past mistakes. If he does not err by forging ahead with untempered zeal, attempting to do today that which should be left till tomorrow, not put off till tomorrow that which it is imperative to do today, there will be no avenues of confusion opened through impatience to lure him into dangerous byways, and no appalling accumulations of neglected work for him eventually to surmount.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

LEGITIMATE PROGRESS

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access