Attainment

[Written Especially for Young People]

WILLIAM KENNETH PRIMROSE

A managing director of a large industrial concern had a call one morning from two young men. They were approaching the age when they would be choosing their careers and joining the wage-earning population. Both had received similar education, and had been given equal opportunities. Yet the difference between them, as shown by their appearance and records, was striking. One had evidently made the most of the opportunities which had been offered him: he had been industrious, and was alert, obedient, and teachable. The other appeared to be undisciplined, to lack control, to be pleasure-loving, and to have given little serious thought to his future.

After their departure, the managing director found himself reflecting on the contrast between them. One he was sure would get on, and would do well; he had no anxiety about him. But what of the other boy?

No one entering the business world need have any fear of the future if he will but turn to the teachings of Christian Science, study them, and endeavor to put them into practice. Such a one may ask, How will these teachings help me? Will they find me a position, give me employment, work that interests me, and an income which will provide me with a livelihood?

Look at the question for a moment from the viewpoint of an employer. Which of the two young men referred to above would he engage? Would he not prefer the one who expressed qualities which he considered would be helpful in his business?

A young man entering the business world might fear he did not possess the qualities desired by an employer, but if he should turn to the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, he would learn to know himself, to discern his true individuality. And the light of Truth entering his consciousness would show him how to replace lack of control with the understanding that man is governed by divine Mind. He would realize, also, that man expresses divine intelligence, wisdom, and dominion; and he would acquire an understanding of true service which would be an invaluable asset to him. Instead of being anxious and fearful, he would know that man—his true selfhood—is ever reflecting perfect Mind; and thus any false sense of lack, unemployment, or failure would disappear. The Psalmist said, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."

Christian Science declares that "all is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 468); that mortal existence, with lack, limitation, unemployment, sin, and sorrow, is unreal. As we pray to God to know Him aright, He will reveal Himself to us, and the spiritual facts of being will become clear to us in proportion to our honesty and sincerity. We need not fear that we shall become merely intellectual students of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook. Rather, armed with faith, hope, and trust, we shall proceed to put into practice what we have learned through our study. As we do this, we shall find spiritual understanding unfolding more and more to us, and proportionately better and more harmonious conditions surrounding us. We shall find opportunities coming to us to express this spiritual understanding, and to be of service to mankind.

On page 166 of her work, "Miscellaneous Writings," Mrs. Eddy writes: "Like the leaven that a certain woman hid in three measures of meal, the Science of God and the spiritual idea, named in this century Christian Science, is leavening the lump of human thought, until the whole shall be leavened and all materialism disappear. This action of the divine energy, even if not acknowledged, has come to be seen as diffusing richest blessings. This spiritual idea, or Christ, entered into the minutiae of the life of the personal Jesus. It made him an honest man, a good carpenter, and a good man, before it could make him the glorified."

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