Article May 16, 1936 Issue

The Price of Progress

PEARL G. ANDREWS

In every right endeavor where success of a permanent, progressive nature is hoped for, the desire to succeed and to progress should be actuated and dominated by right motive. As thought advances Spiritward, motives necessarily become more spiritualized.

An illustration of the power of right motive may be given by citing the example of a certain student of Christian Science, a young college girl, who from the entrance year to the close of a four-year course exhibited such continuous, untiring efforts that much concern for her physical welfare was expressed. Remarks such as, "You need more recreation," or, "Why work so hard?" were usually answered with the words, "My parents have sacrificed much for me, and this is the only way at present whereby I feel I can repay and show something of my appreciation." Her persistent, conscientious efforts from day to day gave no evidence of monotony or boredom. To her, work was a genuine pleasure.

This joyous task was rewarded, for, after taking honors during each year of her entire course, upon graduation she was elected to membership in a national honorary society. This success, however, was not the major glory. All along the way there had been great growth in spiritual understanding, made manifest not only in her achievements but also in a preserved and increased sense of health, not one day having been lost from her duties through any adverse physical condition. And because of this increase in spiritual understanding the motive in desiring success had also been enlarged and more firmly based on divine Principle. With no fading of the deep sense of gratitude toward those who had so selflessly given her the opportunities for progress, this young student came to the realization that the one Father-Mother, whom we should ever desire and strive to please and exalt, is God. To proclaim His allness, to prove His law of progress by our individual exemplification of increasing intelligence, health, and success, in short, to glorify God, should and must be the dominant incentive in all right endeavors. Christ Jesus exemplified this fact in his immortal words spoken on the eve of his crucifixion, "Glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee." In honoring and exalting the Father-Mother God one cannot fail to bring satisfaction and joy to loved ones, as well as to all concerned.

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