Article November 6, 1920 Issue

Signs of the Times

with contributions from J. Ramsay McDonald, P. P. Claxton, E. A. Miller, Doremus Scudder

["Versatility"—The Christian Science Monitor, Boston, U.S.A., July 13, 1920]

Certain individuals turn with readiness and grace to new tasks or occupations, and are apt therefore to be the admiration of human society,—indeed not only the admiration but even the envy, since the human mind is so limited in outlook that it is astonished at what seems to it the spectacle of more than two or three excellent qualities manifest together. Those who combine such qualities are said to be versatile, and are considered to be especially favored of a God who apparently deals out sparingly to His children from His abundance. To the human mind, not to be versatile is a rule which it accepts resignedly as one of the normalities of what it calls human nature. Such a limited outlook did not blind the emancipated Paul, who exposed its fallacy when he wrote joyfully to the Philippians: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Paul spoke of withstanding torturous trials and persecutions, many and various, but always he bore witness that he could do all that was demanded of him. So proved he the power of the Christ, Truth, to free human capacity, and so, eighteen centuries later, proved Mary Baker Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

On page 385 of her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy gives to him who reads a message revolutionary to human systems: "Whatever it is your duty to do, you can do without harm to yourself." In these statements of Paul, and of Mrs. Eddy, there opens for those who strive to understand them the door to real versatility. What is it but the latent fear either of harm to one's self or others, or of lack of strength or ability to succeed, that stifles most impulses to ventures seemingly new? And what is it but the mastery of fear of consequences, and the assurance of strength to win, that has made mankind plumb the sea, fathom the air, and circle the globe with many wonders of great usefulness? Only, however, when such mastery proceeds upon the understanding of Principle, God, who alone is All-power, can it be enduring and applicable to every department of endeavor. Only when a man learns that all that performs is the one, infinite, divine Mind, real consciousness, or God, whom the compound idea, man, reflects as infinite, perfect, spiritual activity, does he find freedom to achieve in "fresh woods and pastures new," and thereby to attain infinite variety of spiritual achievement in the way best suited to his individual development.

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