Article October 1, 1932 Issue

Employment

MARY POLLOCK GRANT

AT the present time many persons are confronted with the problem of finding work with just remuneration. To be forced to be idle is more burdensome than any amount of labor, and the mere fact of having nothing to do has brought some to the verge of despair.

One Christian Scientist pondered long and prayerfully on the question of employment, having learned to take every problem to divine Mind for solution. She turned for light to the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, and on page 118 of "Miscellaneous Writings" found these inspiring words: "The warfare with one's self is grand; it gives one plenty of employment." "The warfare with one's self"! Here, indeed, was "plenty of employment"; no possibility of feeling workless with that task unaccomplished! Seeking for further light on this warfare, she read in the same paragraph, "Self-ignorance, self-will, self-righteousness, lust, covetousness, envy, revenge, are foes to grace, peace, and progress." Certainly there was work to be done in overcoming these foes. With joy and gratitude the student realized that the burden of feeling unemployed had been lifted.

The questions then arose: What about wages for this work? How will this warfare pay the rent, provide necessary food and clothing, and enable one to meet one's rightful obligations? This time the clue was found in the Bible. The twentieth chapter of Matthew's Gospel records Jesus' parable of the householder who sent laborers into his vineyard, some in the morning, some later in the day, some in the evening. The wage contract with the last group was unusual: "Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive." It is further shown that they did not lose by trusting to their employer's honor. So, in all her tasks, as she was guided by divine Principle, Love, she found that "whatsoever is right," she received.

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