Efficiency

Clifford P. Smith

Ability may be regarded as the power to achieve good results. "Efficiency is active power to effect a definite result, the power that actually does, as distinguished from that which may do." This quotation is from the Practical Standard Dictionary, under "power." Evidently, therefore, all of us have plenty of ability; what many of us seem to lack is efficiency. Another quotation from the same authority, on the meaning of the word "efficiency," will elucidate this point: "This word is chiefly used of intelligent agents as denoting the quality that brings all one's power to bear promptly and to the best purpose on the thing to be done."

Now, in absolute fact, we are intelligent agents; we are agents of divine Mind; and we bear this relation to the Principle of all power. So there is no good reason why we should seem to lack either ability or efficiency. Christ Jesus taught that his faithful followers should be "endued with power from on high." From this analysis, then, there emerges the question, How can we, as Christians, as Christian Scientists, cultivate and develop our efficiency? How can anyone do this? A complete answer to this question cannot be attempted here, but a few important points can be stated.

Of first importance is the proposition that each person should cultivate and develop the true sense of his unity with divine Mind, divine Principle. Conversely stated, among the most fundamental of human errors is the belief that an individual exists by himself. Consequently, this error needs to be eradicated and excluded from thought with the diligence and the persistence which are fully equal to the importance of the task. As Mrs. Eddy has said (Pulpit and Press, p. 4), "You have simply to preserve a scientific, positive sense of unity with your divine source, and daily demonstrate this." And later on the same page she states, "Reflect this Life, and with it cometh the full power of being." When she deduced from the recorded atonement of Christ Jesus and emphasized in Christian Science teaching the idea, "man's unity with God" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, pp. 18, 497), Mrs. Eddy made a very great contribution to Christian theology and to human welfare.

Of course, "man's unity with God" is mental and spiritual. God is the Mind and Spirit of man. He is the divine Principle of individual being. He is the infinite source whose ceaseless giving characterizes and constitutes the true consciousness of every individual. Hence, another point of prior importance for acquiring mental and spiritual efficiency is that each of us should develop his ability to distinguish quickly and positively between erroneous impulses and true thoughts. Diligence and proficiency in this practice are important to progress and essential to the best results. It is the "fervent prayer of a righteous man" which "availeth much;" and this part of Christian Science practice will help the progressive student to be both right and righteous.

Then, too, the practice of Christian Science depends for its efficacy on divine power and law. Even the Master himself said, "I can of mine own self do nothing." It is the power of divine Principle—the Principle of the universe—acting through spiritual law which enables the practitioner, for any good purpose, to effect results. So he needs to Comprehend this law and to fulfill all that it requires of him. As Christian Scientists, we are learners. For one thing, we are learning to make use of divine or spiritual law. And observation is always a productive means of learning. In this situation, therefore, we are aided by observing the operation of metaphysical law, especially in cases for which it furnishes the only explanation. Such incidents are object lessons as well as convincing proofs.

Closely connected with the point just stated is another, which is at least equally important. As learners, we should exercise our present comprehension in order to acquire more. We should use it, use it. On page 323 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy has expressed this thought in a few sentences of beautiful prose, beginning as follows: "In order to apprehend more, we must put into practice what we already know." No subject is comprehended thoroughly until it is learned practically. This proposition applies to metaphysics no less than to aeronautics or to mathematics. Christian Science has many uses, which no student of this subject can afford to neglect. The practice of healing may be most beneficial to one's self and to all, but every conscious exercise of God-given ability is fruitful; and Jesus described the invariable reward when he said, in the parable of the talents, "For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance."

Clifford P. Smith

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Contending for God

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