Article January 5, 1952 Issue

SOMETHING TO DO

JOHN H. HOAGLAND

One of the principal objectives of the earnest student of Christian Science must always be the achievement of spiritual self-government. "Reflecting God's government, man is self-governed," declares the revered Founder of the Christian Science movement, Mary Baker Eddy, on page 125 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Finding self-government involves a redemptive process. The Bible and the writings of our Leader are replete with step-by-step directions for attaining this goal, and we are aware as we study these master charts to the cherished estate of spiritual self-determination that there is always something for us to do in this attaining process.

An explorer seeking a beautiful and fruitful valley may suddenly reach an opening in the wilderness from which he glimpses this promised land after weary and futile wandering. At last he has the rewarding assurance of imminent fulfillment, and he is free to conform all his plans and expectations accordingly. But he must continue working his way toward the goal he has seen and, ultimately crossing the outer boundaries of this blossoming bind, seek by diligent effort to discover its inner riches to the fullest.

There is no successful endeavor in which self-discipline and self control are not indispensable, and these qualities always require deliberate, intelligent, and purposeful effort on the part of the individual. These facts do not change because it is Christian Science one is studying and endeavoring to demonstrate. Actually they become more vital and imperative, and the Christian Scientist seeking obediently to work out his own salvation knows that he himself must always be doing something very definite and positive about it, for he remembers Paul's statement (Phil. 2:13), "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

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