Article September 2, 1922 Issue

Prosperity

ELLEN DICKSON

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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