Article September 5, 1914 Issue

Fitness and Blessing

HENRIETTA A. FIELD

A young Scientist sat by the window with open books upon her lap, but somehow the morning's study had failed to bring the needed help. She was thoroughly unhappy; discouragement, self-pity, and a half-conscious rebellion had wrought a sorry mood within. Her conception of Christian Science had led her to expect that honest effort to grasp the spiritual would be quickly followed by material blessing, and yet there were certain much longed-for demonstrations which seemed hopelessly far away in spite of all the earnest striving. Mortal mind assured her that she had spent ample time and effort in the attempt to gain the desired result, and had been conscientious in her work. It also reminded her of the fact that others were obtaining far quicker and better results than she was. Altogether, it seemed a most unfair proposition, and the troubled heart asked bitterly, Why are these things so?

That her "why," like that of many another young student, was really prompted by an honest desire to know the facts about this puzzling problem, was evidenced by the swift and satisfactory way in which Truth itself answered her question. Turning to the table, she picked up "Miscellaneous Writings," and opening it at random, her eyes fell on these words (p. 212): "When they [Jesus' disciples] were fit to be blest,they received the blessing." Slowly she read the words again, and yet again, while peace and understanding poured their healing balm into her waiting thought. It was enough. That short statement covered the whole ground. It revealed the underlying Principle upon which the bestowal of all actual good was based, and brought both a rebuke and a promise,—a rebuke to any latent sense that injustice or partiality existed on the part of the divine giver, and also to the possible thought of demanding a reward which had not been fully earned, even if one's effort had been his best. It was a promise as certain as Truth itself, that a right mental preparation would bring the full reward.

The cloud of discontent was banished in the glad realization that there was nothing to complain about, not even a just reason for any disturbing comparison with the progress of others, because the blessing which Truth had bestowed on another was but the pledge that when her own fitness was complete the same happy result would follow. True, there might seem to be sudden promotions in Science, as in the army, but no honest soldier of the cross would care to accept a reward that had not the foundation of genuine merit and just recompense.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Jesus' First Miracle