Article January 14, 1933 Issue

Right Activity

PERCY HUNT ALCOCK

Activity is the state or quality of being active, and "active" is defined in a dictionary as "causing or promoting action." Christian Science teaches that, since God is the only cause, all right activity must proceed from this one and only cause. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy has written in answer to the question "What is God?" (p. 465), "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love."

A student of Christian Science overcame the belief of lack of employment through taking each of these seven synonyms for God and studying it in connection with right activity. It was readily seen that no matter what type of work one might do, activity was really thought in action; for successful activity requires the application of intelligence, wisdom, foresight, perception, and understanding. These qualities are attributes of divine Mind, and man, made in the image and likeness of God, reflects this infinite Mind.

Since God is Spirit and the cause of all action, all true activity must be spiritual. In "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy says (p. 307), "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies." It may seem difficult for a young student of Christian Science to see how spiritual ideas can supply his need, which, let us suppose, is a position as accountant. First, let the student see what he has to give rather than what he can get. As an accountant he must understand the rules of accountancy and be able to apply them in his work. This requires wisdom and understanding. He must also be familiar with the rules of mathematics and apply them accurately, even to the minutest detail. Now, while the student may be working with figures, he is actually applying spiritual ideas, expressing wisdom, understanding, and obedience.

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