Article December 15, 1923 Issue

The Practitioner's Opportunity

EDWARD KENNEDY

In a comparatively recent issue of the Christian Science Sentinel, a writer discussed the subject of the Christian Science practitioner and the temptation that sometimes comes to him to advise patients to make investments in some commercial enterprise that within his knowledge is being promoted, and which he may honestly believe to have great merit.

Until human thought outgrows its belief in matter, it may continue to associate itself with some form of business activity, even after having experienced healing under Christian Science treatment; but only in the measure in which such a course is permitted to fetter the individual to materialism, and thus clog his footsteps Spiritward by keeping him back from spiritual freedom, is it inconsistent with the teachings and practice of Christian Science. Every one should have respect for the sincere and honorable businessman, who conducts his business on such a sound ethical basis that even if the inventions of to-day cause the abandonment of the methods of yesterday, and the seasons of unreasoning speculation come and go, he will not be affected adversely, but will be found at his post meeting—without resort to trickery or dishonesty—his moral and financial obligations, himself prospering and causing no one to lose.

A Christian Scientist in business should always be thus governed. He should be free from the danger of making business mistakes; of being deceived; of himself deceiving others; of being imposed upon, or carried off his feet by inexperienced or mistaken promoters who, though warm friends and of honest purpose, are themselves self-deceived, being under the dominion of material sense. The Christian Scientist is therefore protected in the measure that he becomes understandingly familiar with the spiritual qualities of meekness, humility, sincerity, and honesty. To cause men and women to recognize in these spiritual qualities something of the substantial facts of their being, and to love and value them more than they do the things of material sense, is the real work of the Christian Science practitioner, in compensation for which, in addition to a full measure of human supply, he has treasure laid up in the kingdom of heaven. On page 228 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mrs. Eddy asks, "Who shall inherit the earth?" She answers: "The meek, who sit at the feet of Truth, bathing the human understanding with tears of repentance and washing it clean from the taints of self-righteousness, hypocrisy, envy,—they shall inherit the earth, for 'wisdom is justified of her children.'"

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