Editorial October 13, 1923 Issue

"Diligence, promptness, and perseverance"

Albert F. Gilmore

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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