[From the Kansas City Freemason, Kansas City, Missouri]

Because the problem of financial limitation appears to oppress a good many people, it is naturally most interesting to learn what religion has to offer as a means of alleviating this evil. The teachings of the master Christian bear directly on the subject, and yet many Christian people are largely in bondage to poverty and lack. "Take ... no thought for the morrow," Jesus stated; and he further declared that by seeking first the kingdom of heaven, all necessary things would be added. His words and his method of demonstrating supply have been little understood, although it is quite evident that all of his utterances have a profound meaning; and undoubtedly his demonstrations of power over material resistance resulted from a scientific knowledge of spiritual law.

The religion of Christian Science has drawn to it a multitude of earnest, thinking men and women who in general give evidence of having learned in large measure how to solve the problem of financial limitation. There can be no denying that they also present to the world an appearance of general well-being—an "outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace."

[Dr. Richard Lynch, as quoted in the Evening Democrat, Fort Madison, Iowa]

Business men are beginning to learn that Christianity is practical, and that it can and should be used in business. It is possible for a successful man to be a Christian and not have to violate any of the basic principles on which Christianity is based and bottomed. One man made a wonderfully helpful statement recently when he said, "I wouldn't want a business I couldn't take my religion into, and I wouldn't want a religion I couldn't take into my business." Christianity is an asset to any individual, regardless of what may be the line of human endeavor in which he may be engaged.

For ages Christianity has been regarded as something merely theoretical and lacking in practical features. This error of thinking is being recognized to some extent to-day. But there is much remaining to be done before mankind learns the really practical nature of the Scriptural admonition, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Mankind will do well to bear in mind that "all these things shall be added unto you" only after one learns to "seek ... first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness."

["Saturday Night Thoughts," in the Boston Evening Transcript, Massachusetts]

The fact is that the one qualification upon which God insists for any man's employment in his work on earth is a genuine willingness to be used. ... One of the saddest things on earth is to see men seeking work in vain. But in the longer range of vision, which only begins with the present life, and goes on into the eternal years of our life with God, we may be sure that opportunities will come to every willing soul. For I can see no signs of overproduction in goodness, or in records and opportunities of God's kingdom. We need not, therefore, dwell too long upon our poor equipment, "for if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." Equip yourself with willingness, and God will find you work.

I do not assert that it will be showy work, or that it will carry, perhaps for a long time to come, any other recognition or recompense of praise than that of God's voice speaking in your heart and conscience in the quiet hours. ... The main thing is to enter with good will into God's employment.

We may safely leave questions of honor and of recognition to His care. In the work, not in the present hour's acclaim, lies the true access to the well of happiness for thirsty men. What I ask you to note is the fact that God repeatedly has chosen to single out and employ for leadership—and through that leadership has given to certain men a large share of applause and honor—men who must seem to us in looking back as offering most unpromising material. He has often seemed to take the waste things of the world and make them honorable and glorious.

[Roger W. Babson, as quoted in the Morning Globe, Toronto, Ontario, Canada]

In a recent letter published in the Globe Mr. Babson stressed the need for spiritual qualities in grappling with present-day business conditions. Early in the autumn, speaking in New York City before a meeting of national leaders of the Young Men's Christian Associations, he said: "Business depressions are caused by dissipation, dishonesty, disobedience to God's will—a general collapse of moral character. Statistics show this plainly. With equal precision, they show how business depressions are cured. They are cured by moral awakening, spiritual revival, and rehabilitation of righteousness." Here is a courageous message that should be welcomed on every hand.

[J. C. Penney, in the Christian Herald, New York, New York]

The influence of a business leader's example reaches much farther than his own activities. In recent years it is becoming the rule rather than the exception that men shall deal honorably and justly with each other. ...

Fair-minded, far-seeing business leaders irresistibly govern their lives and business transactions in accordance with their religious beliefs. Anyone who is honestly skeptical on this point can find proof that wealth may be amassed more easily through honest than through dishonest methods, and that square dealing reduces the mental and physical strain to the minimum.

The single source of lasting satisfaction to the business man, then, is the knowledge that he has lived honorably and rendered an honest service in exchange for every dollar received.

[Charles Haven Myers, in Association Men, New York, New York]

Suppose that we should begin to say, "Do right for right's sake, whatever the cost," and suppose that this should regulate the ... habits of thinking and action; isn't it conceivable that we should evolve a happier society, and that we might present a more inspiring example before the nations of the world?

There are some things that are above the factory smoke and the skyscrapers. The cultural values have no price tag on them. These values are worth fighting for.

Much of our religion has too much pathos and not enough ethos, too much feeling and not enough ethic. If I am religious because it helps me socially or because it facilitates fortunate business contacts, or even because it holds a reward of heaven, it is a poor religion, not worth having. But if I am religious because it helps me to live my best, inspires me with sympathy and tolerant judgment of my fellow men, and creates a desire to contribute something real and enduring, however small, to society, that kind of religion is worth having. If we are ever so pious and have no definite idea of our relation to a moral society, we are paupers.

There are institutions that should constantly foster moral idealism—the home, the church, the school. Every man should have a clear perspective, should not mix money and morals in a careless fashion, and should know how to put "first things first." The time will soon come when we will need every mother's son who has not sacrificed Principle for pelf. ...

None will find his full measure of happiness without clear vision and moral energy. Ultimately there is no satisfaction like that of being recognized as one who is never sidetracked from doing the right thing, however costly. It has always been a grueling game—this standing for one's principles—but every other game is child's play beside it.

[Rev. Norman Goodall, M. A., in the Christian World, London, England]

The course of history is steadily driving us towards the recognition that no other way of life will endure save that which is in harmony with the Spirit of Christ. One after another our loveless and self-seeking ways break down, and we find ourselves compelled to try again. The world as a whole is far from being convinced that in te more excellent way of love there is the final way; but in the meantime those who have accepted it—constrained by the love of Christ to live not unto themselves alone—may go on in the quiet assurance that whether they apparently succeed or fail it is through such lives of service that the world will be redeemed and the kingdom of God will come.

[From the Church Visitor, Dallas, Wisconsin]

The vital force in business life is the honest desire to serve. Business, it is said, is the science of service. He profits most who serves best. At the very bottom of the will to render service must be honesty of purpose; and, as I go along through life, I see more and more that honesty in word, thought, and work means success. It spells a life worth living and in business, clean success.

[Dr. Raymond B. Walker, as quoted in the Oregonian, Portland, Oregon]

Our greatest service to others is found not in the transfer of gold or any material values, but rather in the giving of spiritual possessions: faith, courage, kindness, sympathy, and sincerity. In such a ministry the Master gave himself. ... He invites us to share his ministry of redemptive power.

[Dr. David DeForest Burrell, as quoted in the New York Times, New York]

We are prone to overemphasize the things of the world and underemphasize the things that are of God. Too many people are trying to map out their own lives instead of leaving this work to God. Let God have His way in your life.

[Rev. E. Spencer Gilley, as quoted in the Eagle-News, Poughkeepsie, New York]

The extent to which an individual obtains spiritual truth becomes the measure of his freedom, for it gives insight and direction to all truth. ... The awakening and cultivation of this spiritual capacity is that which sets men free.