Article January 10, 1931 Issue

Seek and Find

MARTHA VAN ALLEN BARRY

It is astonishing to observe how many people suffer because of mental limitations. Partly because of wrong educational systems, and partly because they lack the right mental activity, many do not take advantage of the availability of much they should enjoy. But along certain lines they may have been taught easily to share in the abundance of good which surrounds them. For instance, one may learn very early in life that water in practically limitless quantities can be obtained in his home: he only has to turn a faucet. In the same way, it is commonly known that a dark room may be illuminated by merely pressing the button of an electric switch. People do not question the ways and means of these sources of supply: they have learned that if they do their part the result will be satisfactory; so they act without hesitation.

In other ways, however, many are in much the same position as a despairing group on a raft who once were suffering from thirst. Shipwrecked far from land and driven by the wind and the waves, they did not know that they had been brought to where a river emptied its waters into the sea. Their piteous call for water, sent out to a vessel just sighted, was answered with the cheering assurance that they were in the midst of fresh water. In other words, their problem was ended as soon as they did their part by recognizing and utilizing the good already surrounding them.

Although they are in the midst of abundance, mortals believe themselves to be suffering from want of some kind. This mistaken belief has been prevalent throughout the ages. So utterly false was such a situation to the clear vision of Christ Jesus, and so great was his compassionate love for suffering humanity, that in his memorable Sermon on the Mount the greatest Teacher the world has ever known gave the unfailing remedy for all ills. He said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Then, as if to emphasize the practicality of the advice, he repeated his promise, saying, "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." He made it very clear that the reward follows the action: we must seek in order to find.

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