Reliance on Principle

ROBERT O. CAMPBELL

To the one who has repeatedly received benefit from the study and practice of Christian Science, who has been healed both morally and physically, and who has gained some ability to prove the helpfulness of reliance on Principle in whatever vocation he may be engaged, there is no instruction more desirable than that which enables one to replace reliance on self with trust in a present knowledge of God.

Beginning with the initial step into business or professional activity, the individual who has grasped in some degree the worth of a progressive life, is often taught, both by precept and example, that self-reliance is an essential characteristic if success is to be won. Such instruction would not be without merit, were it taught with the understanding that true reliance is possible only when we make selfhood subordinate and obedient to spiritual law; but this teaching is impossible where there is no perception of basic spiritual truths. As Mrs. Eddy writes, "Spiritual perception brings out the possibilities of being, destroys reliance on aught but God, and so makes man the image of his Maker in deed and in truth" (Science and Health, p. 203).

In the world of business affairs there are two ways of building up a successful enterprise into what is commercially known as a profitable establishment. One way is so to equip the workers engaged in the enterprise, by experience with the different tasks and responsibilities, that the combined force becomes effective, like a huge and more or less perfectly working machine. The other method is to make subservient all human energy and activity to the control of a dominant character, who holds within his grasp all responsible action and reserves all right of correction and elimination. In both of these plans some action and results are assumed to be lawful and generally operative; but the fact that spiritual law underlies all reality, and that when this is understood it becomes possible to depend on the operation of such law, is unknown.

The one who is placed in the position of responsibility for the success of the enterprise has many moments and even hours when there appears to be no guidance, no light which points to a correct apprehension of the situation and provides for further progress in safety. At such times the individual generally known as self-reliant is aware that there is little in the term which is truly applicable. Precedent for further steps may not be apparent, and the self-reliance may become hazardous and result in failure, since dependence on human ability inevitably comes to a point of no progress. All who have reached similar positions in experience, know only too well that the burden of the day becomes almost unbearable, and furthermore, it often hints of a future which would make daily life not worth the living. At such times, if human weaknesses develop into physical maladies, bitter indeed may be the close of a career that apparently opened with the brightest promise.

Through the study of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, the practical understanding and provable knowledge of God as Principle, the understanding that this all-wise Principle, operating through laws of righteousness, can be trusted in safety, is now readily attainable. This understanding lifts the burden from the individual, and opens the way for each man to find himself an effective factor in a perfect plan of lawful progress in helpful endeavor. This is of priceless value; it paves the road to success in all meritorious undertakings, all projects which work for the good of humanity, where without it failure is too often the result.

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