Article November 27, 1915 Issue

Gift of Producing

CASSIUS M. LOOMIS

When in a moment of spiritual awakening so-called genius attempts the impossible, as it often does, aspiration meets its most serious commitment. It has been said that the products of human thinking and ingenuity approximate only in part what the truly ardent student conceives during his moments of exaltation. In other words, the musician, sculptor, poet, dramatist, or inventor sees deeper than the hand, chisel, or pen can reach. It must be true, according to the teachings of Christian Science, that the real statue, melody, play, poem, or invention exists as an idea in Mind before a stroke of work has been done toward bringing it into material visibility. If so, it is of itself and as a spiritual concept, perfect. Is it not this faultless work of art that the genius frequently sees, just beyond his mental grasp?

The wonderful advances made in artistic production in recent years promise a much greater unfoldment in the realm of beauty and harmony. That the attainment of a higher level in all human endeavor is the goal toward which we are striving, is self-evident. Suppose every master of the high arts knew, beyond all doubt, that the work to which he aspires does exist, and always has existed, in the universe of Mind. It has been a fact, sometimes a mournful one, that the genius of his day weeps because he has failed to realize the limit of his inmost seeing and feeling; but even while he weeps the world may be applauding his work, though he sits alone in despondency.

Because the perfect work exists as a model, is it possible genius will ever be satisfied until it can more nearly approximate the truly real? A writer of songs once forbore to offer his lines to the world, because every day suggestions came to improve them a little here and a little there. After a time it seemed quite impossible to make further changes, and, although the composition even then did not meet with his fullest approval, its nearness to the ideal song made it instantly popular when it was given to the public. Had the work been put forth in its unfinished state, it might have had no reception whatever.

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