Article August 18, 1945 Issue

Work

RALPH B. SCHOLFIELD

Almost every profession produces in course of time its own special phraseology and methods of expression. Those whose occupation is flying acquire a vocabulary of words which, though in frequent and daily use, are wholly outside the ordinary connotation placed upon them. Again, those whose work lies in the stock markets, or in legal or other professions, grow into the habit of attaching a special meaning to many common words which is foreign to their usual interpretation.

It is not surprising, therefore, that the Christian Scientist should employ some well-known words in a meaning somewhat different from their everyday usage. The technical phraseology of Christian Science does not include the invention or the introduction of any unfamiliar words, but it does attach a special meaning to some words, a meaning which is not always understood by one who is not conversant with this Science. Hence it is of the utmost importance that Christian Scientists should use these words with discerning judgment and care, so as to avoid being unintelligible or misunderstood.

One of these words is the word "work." It has various meanings, but it is commonly used in Christian Science to signify prayer. In a more general way the word means to do something with a special purpose. This may be physical action, or it may be mental action, but broadly speaking the word stands for occupation as opposed to rest, or sometimes even idleness.

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