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Prosperity
Webster gives a definition of prosperity as, "Advance or gain in anything good or desirable; successful progress; attainment of the object desired; good fortune; success opposed to adversity." This word was called to my attention recently when talking with one who was working out a problem in accordance with the teachings of Christian Science. While the demonstration seemed protracted, he had been wonderfully protected in every way; and "day by day" the manna had fallen. During our conversation he inquired why he did not gain the benefits others did, and remarked, "I have not had one prosperous day since studying Christian Science." The ingratitude thus expressed was startling. It was very apparent why he had to study before the light came. Christ Jesus did not say, Seek the loaves and fishes, and you will learn to know God. Instead, he said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
If in our study of Christian Science we gain an added idea of Truth, we can surely say that we have both advanced and gained in the good and desirable; for Mrs. Eddy tells us in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 307), "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies." When by our study and the attendant necessary practice we acquire one more spiritual idea, we surely have made "successful progress." Our Leader says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 254) that it is "the spiritual which determines the outward and actual." Then is there anything to seek or have but more spirituality? When we see by daily proof that our thought is becoming more spiritual, have we not attained "the object desired"? It is necessary for us to desire spirituality; for mortal thought would lead us to believe there is happiness outside of the spiritual sense of things.
Since the real man is spiritual, our only "good fortune" is to learn more of spiritual man and believe less in material sense testimony, until we can rise above all materiality. In comprehending more of this truth, we recognize whence our help comes, and cease looking to people, circumstances, or any human support for our aid. In admitting God as the only power, our daily help, we virtually deny evil or inharmony of any sort, and so prove again that "Truth, Life, and Love are a law of annihilation to everything unlike themselves, because they declare nothing except God" (Science and Health, p. 243). Is not this "success opposed to adversity"? So, thus we see that through daily living and loving this truth, we gain the spiritual insight which is the foundation of real prosperity. This prosperity is also evidence in a fuller sense of present good.
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September 2, 1922 issue
View Issue-
Concerning Zeal
WILLIS J. ABBOT
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True Comfort
VIOLET KER-SEYMER
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"Let there be no strife"
CHARLES C. SANDELIN
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Self-denial
NELSON D. FRISBY
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Holding up the Hands
CHARLES V. WINN
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Prosperity
ELLEN DICKSON
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Lessons from Nature
AGNESS B. SLAYMAKER
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Light
ROBERT E. KEY
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The understanding of God and His law gave Jesus the...
John W. Harwood, Committee on Publication for Lancaster County,
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The claim of those who do not understand spiritual healing...
Robert G. Steel, Committee on Publication for the State of Michigan,
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In a recent issue of your paper there appeared a report...
Peter B. Biggins, Committee on Publication for the Province of Alberta,
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Jesus taught unmistakably the vital importance of our...
Samuel J. Macdonald, Committee on Publication for the State of New Jersey,
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The fact that adherents of Christian Science obey the...
Charles E. Heitman, Committee on Publication for the State of New York,
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A clergyman, in a recent issue of your paper, expresses...
Hettie Williams, Committee on Publication for Gloucestershire, England,
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In explaining the character of the Supreme Being, Christian Science...
Theodore Burkhart, Committee on Publication for Oregon,
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Right Service
Albert F. Gilmore
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"A refuge from the storm"
Duncan Sinclair
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Love's Likeness
Ella W. Hoag
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Resolutions
with contributions from Chas. E. Hughes
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The Lectures
with contributions from James Baldwin
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There are no words adequate to express what Christian Science...
Eva M. Crosby with contributions from Edward L. Crosby
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Nine years ago, Christian Science came into my life to...
Emma Gowenlock
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With all the many blessings I have received through...
Margarite Bedigian
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Christian Science came into my life about eight years...
Ethel King Slater
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I am deeply grateful for all that Christian Science has...
Sophia H. Straehley
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Each day I am more grateful for what Christian Science...
Mary E. Slayton with contributions from Russell S. Slayton
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I would like to add my word of gratitude to the many...
Mardel E. Tobias
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All that I am and all that I have I owe to Christian Science...
Sarah S. Dyches
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I wish to express my sincere gratitude for all the help I...
Louis A. Fehrensen
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For years I had what the doctors called nervous exhaustion,...
Alice T. Roberts
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Signs of the Times
with contributions from A. J. Arkin, W. T. Walsh, Sherwood Eddy