Article August 18, 1923 Issue

A Progressive Life

M. ADELAIDE HOLTON

Mrs. Eddy tells us in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 117) that "a progressive life is the reality of Life that unfolds its immortal Principle;" in other words, it is living and practicing the truth we understand. It is continuous progress through the hearing and the doing of the Word of God. To live the progressive life is certain salvation; and every one has the opportunity to be saved through this regenerative process. There is no place too obscure, no work too insignificant, no difficulty too great, no lack too limiting, no mesmeric influence too dense, for the searchlight of progress to penetrate, purify, and enlighten through the continuous unfoldment of divine Principle. There is no mortal who cannot loose himself from the bondage of stagnation and emerge into joyous progress. Every band can be broken and every yoke lifted through the understanding of Christian Science; and we rejoice that this is true, with a gratitude so profound that it reverberates through every avenue and channel of being, and brings back the refrain, "Now are we the sons of God."

From the prophets of old we can learn many valuable lessons. Step by step they overcame the temptations of the flesh; and this brought about the unfoldment of salvation by divine Principle. Enoch walked with God. To walk with God implies the closest relationship with divine Mind, and constant activity in the truth. It was Enoch's unceasing striving for spiritual light which brought the result of his translation. Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." This fruit of translation can be seen through spiritual understanding as the reward of his well-doing,—of leaving material thinking for the divine, and abiding in God. Enoch may not have been working especially for translation; he may never have thought of it. He was actively living the truth, knowing the unreality of evil in every phase of the belief. To have looked behind, or to have whined over the difficulties to be overcome, would have retarded his progress and, perhaps, entirely defeated his demonstration.

God is here; and each of us may walk with Him here. There are no special invitations—just the fullness of opportunity for all. To embrace this opportunity necessitates putting off the mortal at every point. It is emerging from materiality to spirituality; and this must be done sooner or later. There is no escape for any one; and Christian Science reveals the pathway of joyous accomplishment.

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