Article January 21, 1956 Issue

PATIENCE

ETHEL M. BARTLETT

Patience is a quality which furnishes ample proof of its value. Neither resignation nor complacency was meant by the Apostle James when he wrote (1:4), "Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." The patience which carries with it the expectancy of good and which calmly and with assurance goes about the Father's business of reflecting good is the patience which the student of Christian Science is striving to exercise in all the details of his daily living.

Mary Baker Eddy has thrown a great light upon the value of patience. She realized that using patience is not a mere folding of the hands and waiting for something to happen. This is shown by her statements in "Miscellaneous Writings." On page 340 of this book she says, "The lives of great men and women are miracles of patience and perseverance." On the same page she writes of those who are conscientious, "They follow faithfully; through evil or through good report, they work on to the achievement of good; by patience, they inherit the promise." And she continues, "Be active, and, however slow, thy success is sure."

Our Leader was never hasty or impetuous. She listened quietly for Mind's directing and never hesitated to follow its guidance. Her pure thought enabled her to differentiate between malicious attempts to discredit her and her work and the obstacles resulting from a lack of understanding on the part of those who, in their zeal to help, sometimes hindered. She saw the malicious attempts for what they were—error claiming power—and refused to be discouraged or dismayed by them. With those who, because of misplaced enthusiasm, sometimes caused her to work harder, she was most patient and loving.

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