Article August 23, 1924 Issue

The Rule of Right Activity

PAUL S. DELAND

One of the earliest, and to this day perhaps one of the greatest, guides in helping to solve his everyday problems flashed into the consciousness of the writer after many readings of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, through these words to be found on page 3: "Who would stand before a blackboard, and pray the principle of mathematics to solve the problem? The rule is already established, and it is our task to work out the solution." Up to the time of this illumination, retrospection revealed an accumulation of fine things thought of, but apparently lost through inaction. Then dawned the significance of the statement, "It is our task to work out the solution," which has proved again and again to be a master key to progress in handling the day's work more effectively and more satisfactorily. And this master key may be termed applied activity. Instead of waiting, Micawber-like, for "something to turn up," the way was here pointed out unmistakably. Here was rewarded the search for a workable method for the solution of each and every problem. Here was revealed a practicable law for everyday life.

It is necessary to be sure that the action applied is right action, that is, constructive, helpful, and healing. We have but to avail ourselves of God's gifts to mankind,—ability to think and demonstrate, capacity to know the truth, and willingness to be guided correctly by God,—and we shall know the way.

The story of the good Samaritan, like many others, emphasizes the fact that it is the putting of good motives into action which bears fruit. Many examples of this applied action abound in the Bible, and the same right activity may be applied to our own problems every day. Bible parables and other teachings tell us what to do and how to do it, but we must perform the task ourselves. Right action takes us about our Father's business; right action means putting into practice the admonition to love our neighbor as ourself; right action does the day's work. Right action keeps the Commandments; right action translates prayer into service. If mortal sense should knock at the portals of thought with a negative belief of inertia, commonly termed "what's the use," its rebuke will be found in the actively encouraging admonition not to be weary in well-doing. In order to know that the strength to perform every good work is always available, we have but to remember and make use of the truth that God, divine Mind, is always causing man to reflect perfect activity.

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