Article August 10, 1935 Issue

True Dependence

JEAN M. SNYDER

At present many submit to the sense of unemployment and lack to such a degree that they have become apathetic in attempting to correct their attitude. It is true that through loss of position or income some who formerly had plenty now have slipped into the habit of depending upon other people for supply. Continued indulgence in such dependence dulls the finer sensibilities, and so depresses natural spontaneity that, as a result, certain human obligations come to be ignored or obscured. As has sometimes been the case with nations, so with individuals, paying one's debts may be no longer considered possible, and therefore may be viewed as unnecessary. With laxity in thinking and living it is not to be wondered at that human beings find themselves helplessly stumbling along, possessing but few blessings.

The tendency of mortals is to cling to persons and to material things for help and support. But what a mistake is this! Merely material channels become dry, and through failure in business persons may be placed in such positions that they cannot help others, even though they greatly desire to do so. Then there follows nothing but hopelessness for an individual, unless he is otherwise instructed.

If at this point he is fortunate enough to come in contact with Christian Science, hope is held out for him and for his general outlook. He discovers some very wonderful things he never knew before; one of them is that this hope needs to be cherished. Christian Science shows him that the reason his future is secure is that all that is real is in God's hands. But he cannot be mentally lethargic and at the same time expect to experience this security. Right now he has to make an effort to learn that God is the source of all good, of his supply, and of his very life, for as Mrs. Eddy says (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 28), "Our reliance upon material things must be transferred to a perception of and dependence on spiritual things."

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