Editorial October 27, 1923 Issue

On the Value of Time

Duncan Sinclair

There is little doubt among thoughtful people as to the value of time. They recognize it as one of their most precious assets; and are solicitous of it, in consequence. A day with them is not just so many hours to be filled up, but a period of usefulness, where work well done brings its own reward. It matters little what the task may be, provided it is a worthy one. The time diligently spent in fulfilling honorable duty is always well spent; for at the end of it no individual but finds himself a step advanced morally. The discipline of service performed for a worthy purpose is invaluable, strengthening every fiber of character, making it more genuine, more reliable, more trustworthy. And he who is earnest of purpose, with thought directed by the understanding of God, divine Principle, values time as no other can.

Few of the servants of the human race have ever found the day too long. It is those without formulated purpose, those who have not yet perceived what obedience to Principle means, who find time to hang on their hands, and who, very probably, in order as they think to spend it pleasantly, only too frequently encroach on the valued minutes of the diligent. In their ignorance, or perhaps on the pretext of being social functionaries, they literally steal the precious time of others. And in this circle are to be found—certainly not "the salt of the earth." It is the easiest thing in the world to play fast and loose with life's privileges; and time is one of these. It needs moral courage and a high sense of duty to hold steadfastly on in one's pathway of right endeavor; and why should any one thoughtlessly encroach upon this purposefulness?

Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, was a very wise woman. Her writings literally scintillate with the rarest gems of wit and wisdom. She understood so much of the nature of divine Principle and of Principle's expression, the real man, that she could not have been other than wise. And her knowledge of Life, and Truth, and Love enabled her to see deeply and accurately into the so-called human mind. Mrs. Eddy read the thoughts of men as few have been able to read them; hence her incisive power of analysis, and her wholesome exposure of the foibles and failings of mankind. She touches upon innumerable phases of human existence in her writings, often throwing upon them a blaze of light, exposing alike the secret sins and the silly ways of men.

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