Article January 19, 1929 Issue

More Love—A Proof of Progress

VIVIEN U. WILLARD

Every earnest and sincere student desires above all else to progress in his understanding of Christian Science and in his ability to apply its truths in everyday living. Often he asks himself whether he is making progress as rapidly as he might, or whether he is merely marking time. It is not always easy to answer this question; for, sometimes, carried along on a tide of material prosperity, he may be blinded to the lack of true spiritual growth within. On the other hand, problems may seem so insistent and so great that discouragement argues that no advancement is being made. Again, the student's path may be fraught with numerous obstructions, and he may be tempted to stand still and say that it is useless to try further.

At times, a student may find himself as one who is climbing a steep stairway, making slow and laborious effort to reach the top. Stopping for a while on a landing on the way up, he finds rest from his effort, and he may think for the moment that he has done enough. Thinking that he has reached a sufficiently high place, and that the sense of rest and peace is the reward of his efforts, he remains there for a time. Then, looking up, he sees that there is yet a long way to go. He sees that the landing was but a momentary stopping place from which he might review hi achievement and so gain courage to press on. Whether we are mesmerized by a pleasant sense of material prosperity, and lulled thereby into a belief that problems are solved; whether, on the other hand, we are so beset with battles that we see through the smoke only with difficulty; or whether we have gone to sleep momentarily on some landing, we all come to the point when we must ask ourselves, Am I making any progress; am I gaining more understanding of Truth each day?

The answer to this question may be had readily enough, if we will but ask ourselves another question, Do we love more? In other words, Are we kinder and more considerate toward those with whom we come in contact day by day? Are we refusing to speak or even think unkind criticism of others? Are we destroying the temptation to feel resentful? Are we realizing more of love for all mankind? If, after careful and honest searching, the answer may not be given affirmatively, we have only to read and obey the injunction on page 253 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, which reads, "If you believe in and practise wrong knowingly, you can at once change your course and do right." It is a comfort to know that we never need be discouraged, but that we can at once change our course and do right.

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