Article March 3, 1917 Issue

Enemies of Progress

BRIGMAN C. ODOM

One tendency of the human mind is to meddle with affairs which are of little or no importance, and which do not in any way promote moral or intellectual development, to allow non-essentials and petty annoyances to engross attention to the neglect of those things which should inspire mankind and lead to spiritual growth and progress. The manifestation or belief of poor health, supposed to result in mental depression and discouragement, may be holding some one in seeming bondage, and he may conclude that if he could only be well and vigorous all his experiences would be characterized by harmony and progress. Another may be struggling with poverty,—a sense of lack in material things,—and it may occur to him that if he could but have an unlimited supply of material substance the rest of life's affairs would be easy. Still another, through wrong indulgence of some sort, loses self-control and is the prey of perverted appetite and ungovernable passion. After these conditions have become more or less established and are attended with correspondingly unpleasant results, the victim may say that if normal physical functions could be established and a serene mental poise obtained, his principle troubles would be over.

Now the question should not be to get rid of physical pain, to regain bodily strength, to conduct a successful business enterprise, merely for the sake of being comfortable; but it should be to find lasting surcease from those things which would interfere with one's real work, by acquainting one's self with the Principle that will save immediately and completely from all apparent ills, including fear, anger, envy, discouragement, depraved human will, and false appetite. To correct these obvious difficulties the admonition given in the book of Job is pertinent,—"Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee."

Christian Science reenforces this counsel, and tells the seeker that in order to get away from all self-indulged and self-imposed troubles and to find health, happiness, and success, he must know God as infinite good, infinite Love, infinite Life, and that he must also know God as an ever present help. With the true knowledge and right understanding of God he knows himself; he knows the truth, and the truth destroys error, heals the sick, makes progress possible and easy. Christian Science fortifies him in his stand for the right. It not only indicates the way, but shows him how to walk in it; it is chart and compass daily, hourly, even unceasingly.

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