Article September 8, 1923 Issue

Order and Punctuality

MILTON SIMON

In "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 87) our beloved Leader tells us that "genuine Christian Scientists are, or should be, the most systematic and law-abiding people on earth." But how frequently we fall short of manifesting in our daily lives the two very necessary qualities of order and punctuality! Nearly every one, for example, can recall occasions when many have been delayed or inconvenienced through the failure of one individual to be on time. And, possibly, those who call themselves the friend of the offender have sought to excuse or justify the mistake!

The tendency is to excuse error, especially in one's self or one's friends; but tardiness, like any other form of evil, can never be overcome through condoning or justifying it. It must first be seen as a form of error; and since being unpunctual is erroneous, it can never be right. The old saying, "Better late than never," is often used as a cloak for lack of punctuality. It might well be changed into, Better never late. This may seem a hard saying to mortals; but the error of unpunctuality must be overcome.

Some may object, and ask the Christian Scientist if his religion is to be used in so trivial an affair as overcoming tardiness. The answer is, Yes; for Christian Science is eminently practical, and there is no problem too large or too small for it to handle. We can turn to God at all times for aid in its solution. Indeed, we must use divine Principle, must rely on God, not only in the so-called big problems, but also in the little problems; in fact, in everything. Mrs. Eddy makes this very plain in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 28), when she states, "He must be ours practically, guiding our every thought and action."

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