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"Diligence, promptness, and perseverance"
On page 514 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," in discussing qualities of thought, Mrs. Eddy says: "In the figurative transmission from the divine thought to the human, diligence, promptness, and perseverance are likened to 'the cattle upon a thousand hills.' They carry the baggage of stern resolve, and keep pace with highest purpose." "Diligence, promptness, and perseverance," thus exemplified, are qualities worthy of cultivation; and they promote the successful application of spiritual truth to human problems. Let us consider them in order.
The writer of the book of Proverbs saw the need of observing diligence in all that duty demands of men. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life," he admonished. In his comprehensive letter to the Christians in Rome, in recommending certain practical duties, Paul urged, "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: . . . he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence." Here, manifestly, Paul expressed the demand, which falls upon all, of traversing the path of duty with diligence, with due care, and with watchfulness of all the conditions which pertain thereto.
Our Leader saw diligence as a quality which partakes of highest purpose, a quality to be cultivated and exercised in making one's demonstration out of material belief into spiritual understanding. Not by desultory and half-hearted effort, but by close and persistent application to our duties, included in the word "diligence," do we win the spiritual goal. Certain etymologists hold that "diligence" and "delight" have the same origin, a proposition which adds an interesting phase to the idea of diligence. The thought that what one does diligently is also done with delight removes the sense of drudgery, which so often characterizes the routine of human experience. Diligence, then, connotes persistent, joyous, right activity.
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October 13, 1923 issue
View Issue-
Watching
JOHN C. LATHROP
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The Harmonizing of Time and Place
LUCIE HASKELL HILL
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Obedience to Law
JOHN L. RENDALL
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A Pure Language
CLARA S. HARSH
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Dwelling in Truth
ELLEN DICKSON
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True Taxation
MARJORY POULTER
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"Because he first loved us"
MINNY M. H. AYERS
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In Hebrews we read, "Through faith we understand that...
Charles M. Shaw, Committee on Publication for Lancashire, England,
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A treatment in Christian Science does not consist of the...
Willard J. Welch, Committee on Publication for the State of Iowa,
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When speaking of the carnal mind and the fleshly man...
W. Clyde Price, Committee on Publication for the State of Utah,
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In the ninth chapter of the gospel of John the Master...
Charles E. Heitman, Committee on Publication for the State of New York,
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Christian Science is correct, and there is healing in...
William Brandt, Committee on Publication for the State of Maryland,
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Letters from the Field
with contributions from Margaret A. L. Nowell, Ernest G. Lorenzen, Sara T. Watson
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"Diligence, promptness, and perseverance"
Albert F. Gilmore
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God is Fixed Principle
Duncan Sinclair
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"The sword of the Spirit"
Ella W. Hoag
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From the Directors
The Christian Science Board Of Directors
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The Lectures
with contributions from Reginald Tonkin
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It is with a heart full of gratitude and joy that I give...
Hetty Meisner-Lundh
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It is over fourteen years since I took up the study...
Grace I. Smerdon
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Words are inadequate to express my gratitude and thankfulness...
Alma T. Hatch with contributions from Frances A. Hatch
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This testimony is given in loving gratitude for what...
Adelaide E. Woods
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I am deeply grateful for all that Christian Science has...
Marion L. Robertson
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Christian Science came to me at a time when I was very...
Beryl Whistler
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Some years ago, I seemed to manifest what the specialists...
Sallie Gordon Balch
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Signs of the Times
with contributions from E. I. Bosworth, Woodman, Annie Belle Koogle