Editorial September 23, 1916 Issue

Is Man's Work Ever Done?

William D. McCrackan

WHENCE comes the suggestion to the faithful Christian Scientist that it is time to retire from active work? There may be several ways of defining the word work, but if it is once accepted as meaning activity, then man's work is never done. The old adage declares that "man's work is from sun to sun, but woman's work is never done;" if that be the case, the work of the Christian Scientist more nearly resembles woman's work. Particular tasks are, indeed, accomplished from time to time, but in reality man's activity can never stop, because true Life is eternal. In the infinitude of absolute living God's work is finished: He sees all that He has made and declares it to be very good,—yet this completeness does not imply inaction. The right ideas which constitute creation are ever active, because they reflect the ever-active divine Mind.

The suggestion that the faithful Christian Scientist has reached a halting place and must now look for stagnation or apathy, is derived from the prevalent practice of the world, which believes in an end to all things, as also in a beginning, and provides pensions and sinecures. The divine Mind is constantly unfolding to receptive human apprehension greater strength, further opportunities, more glorious beauties. Every dawn illumined by real Mind is fresher, every noon more vigorous, every night more peaceful. The suggestion that the joyous impulsion to work which is characteristic of Science can be paralyzed, must obviously come from the carnal mind, from impersonal evil, personified in Jesus' exhortations as devil or murderer.

On pages 2 and 3 of her Message of 1900 to The Mother Church, Mrs. Eddy, writing of "the right thinker and worker," states: "The song of Christian Science is, 'Work—work—work—watch and '" Obviously the suggestion to stop work does not accord with this song. It stands to reason that if a "right thinker and worker" who has an honorable record in spiritual warfare listens to this suggestion, he will lower his shield and go to the rear. He has become immobilized.

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