Editorial June 15, 1912 Issue

PROGRESSIVENESS

Annie M. Knott

The law of eternal progression was stated by Christ Jesus when he said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." The spiritual man by his very nature is conscious of the ceaseless operation of this law, and, as the psalmist tells us, he delights in it, as well he may. To feel in one's self the perpetual stirrings of that which makes for greater and greater good, and to be ever conscious of a glad response to its high demand, is to live in the truest sense. Even a sense of unrest and dissatisfaction is far better than content with wrong conditions, and yet, when spiritual sense prevails over the material the disturbed condition ceases, for the real and true is given its rightful sway, which leads to health, happiness, and prosperity. On the other hand, we are wise to remember that humanly speaking we have much to overcome before we can justly claim to be fully responsive to the divine law which demands perfection. Our beloved Leader tells us that "mortal man is the antipode of immortal man in origin, in existence, and in his relation to God" (Science and Health, p. 215).

Why, it may be asked, should any one cease to respond to the law of growth, which is surely operative at one time as much as another? Is it not because of an entirely false sense of man's origin and nature which has come to pervade all of the thinking and doing of mortals? It is true that some strive after high ideals in art, and others who make great efforts realize marvelous results in the world of business; but all this is mainly external to the individual and does not extend to his real selfhood. To be truly progressive, which means advance in all things and all the time, we must recognize clearly and constantly man's relation to Him of whom it is written, "Thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail."

The healing which comes to most Christian Scientists with their introduction to Christian Science awakens in them at once a new sense of progressiveness, and this is well; but they need to guard their spiritual treasure from contamination through the prevailing mortal belief. the Christ promises are all "to him that overcometh," and this overcoming must be wrought out at every point. All our work must be better done than it was a year ago; better than it was a month ago, or even yesterday, and this because we are exercising man's spiritual faculties and infinite capabilities. However humble the task, it should be done from the standpoint of true progress. If our work is the all-important task for which Christ Jesus commissioned twelve men, and later seventy, and still later the whole world in his promise to "them that believe,"—the work of healing and saving mankind,—each day should bring us clearer views of Truth, greater skill in dealing with self-deceived and suffering mortal mind, and greater power in breaking all the chains of sense that the captive may go free.

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