Editorial May 18, 1912 Issue

"PROMPTNESS."

Annie M. Knott

In Science and Health we read: "In the figurative transmission from the divine thought to the human, diligence, promptness, and perseverance are likened to the 'cattle upon a thousand hills'" (p. 514). These mental qualities represent great riches, and yet there are few who recognize this fact to the extent of striving to attain them or of knowing what they stand for. A dictionary definition of promptness is, "Quickness of decision or action; cheerful willingness; alacrity." The student of Christian Science would never deny that all true activity originates in the divine Mind, and the question for each is, To what extent am I expressing this Mind in all I think and say and do? If we think rightly, there need be no delay in carrying out our plans, for "with God nothing shall be impossible," and with God one day is "as a thousand years." We also read that God speaks and it is done. On the divine side, there is no delay in the carrying out of the divine purpose. Says St. Paul, "Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

The progress of mankind is unfortunately characterized by many delays, even in the working out of that which is admitted to be good. It is not seen that every true impulse should be promptly transmitted from the divine Mind, that we must not allow the channels of thought to become obstructed by indolence, selfishness, or fear. If "now is the accepted time," we must act now. We must "decided quickly as to the proper treatment of error" (Science and Health, p. 463); and this means that we must decide that it can never hinder us from knowing and doing the will of God, and doing it promptly and perseveringly. The "native hue of resolution" should never become "sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought," the kind of thought which, like that of Lot's wife, leads the one who entertains it to look back when he should go steadily forward. It is because of needless delays in providing for the transmission of the divine activity that so many write failure where they should inscribe success, and this recalls Longfellow's words,—

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AMONG THE CHURCHES
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