A prudent businessman will, at stated intervals, take an inventory of his goods and supplies. When the Christian calendar records the approach of another January first, would it not be well for those of us striving to be Christian Scientists to institute a wholesome mental stocktaking? Do we not need, like sagacious men in trade, to consider our resources and weaknesses the ground gained or seemingly lost? Does someone opine that this argument is not Christianly scientific? If so, let him listen to the admonition of his spiritually-minded Leader, Mary Baker Eddy (Miscellaneous Writings, p.330): "It is good to talk with our past hours, and learn what report they bear, and how they might have reported more spiritual growth. With each returning year, higher joys, holier aims, a purer peace and diviner energy, should freshen the fragrance of being."

Let no one feel that a mental stocktaking need be a discouraging or depressing process. At the outset, the man or woman about the Father's business knows that back of him, eternally with him, are the infinite resources of Mind, the undiminished treasures of Love. If past hours report failure to appropriate good and a lessening stock of health, strength, or courage, the remedy is plain. One needs only to turn frequently to the great storehouse of right ideas, and there lay hold on the bounties promised to those who love—understand—God, good. Is not the infinite Father of all saying to each one of His children. "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine"? If our inventory shows a lack of such mental commodities as health, happiness, or peace of mind, the fault lies not with the great Giver of all good, but with our failure to make legitimate demands on His infinite supply of blessings.

But, may interpose some stock-taker, apparently I know not how to replenish my dwindling stocks. I pray, and pray, and yet my mental shelves seem bare. The question is, How are we praying? Suppose a man walks out of doors on a bright morning with eyes fast closed, and prays for the sun to shine. What is the matter with that prayer? Obviously, much. First of all, the petitioner betrays complete ignorance of intelligent prayer. One does not have to beg the sun to shine. The sun's business is to shine, and it is shining. Enlightened prayer is really the opening of blinded eyes to the recognition of that good which eternally is. Says a familiar gospel hymn,

So the Christian Scientist approaches prayer with joy and confidence. There is no question as to the infinite store of good in the granaries of Spirit. There have been no limitations placed on the amount of good which may be requisitioned. One may go to the storehouse of divine Love with a wheelbarrow or a huge lorry. Has anyone ever claimed too much love, or unselfishness, or honesty, or spirituality? Writes our loving Leader (No and Yes, p. 39): "True prayer is not asking God for love; it is learning to love, and to include all mankind in one affection. Prayer is the utilization of the love wherewith He loves us. Prayer begets an awakened desire to be and do good. It makes new and scientific discoveries of God, of His goodness and power."

Are we truly learning to love? Possibly this is the most important bit of stocktaking confronting the man, woman, or child who would be successful in his demonstration of Christian Science. Henry Drummond calls love "The Greatest Thing in the World." Is love, the old-fashioned variety commended by the beloved disciple, lacking on your mental shelves? No matter what other qualities of thought you may be exhibiting—brilliance, acumen, cleverness—do you know the first thing our fellows really look for on approaching our mental precincts? It is love, the love that is merciful, unselfish, genuine.

Do the shelves seem barren, O careless shopkeeper? Then hasten to the storehouse and humbly, importunately, pray that your heart be opened to and flooded with the light of Love divine. One cannot humanly diagram or define this largess; one has to experience it. Once tasted, the wise will check on its presence or absence in thought more than any other Christian quality. Without it, no metaphysical treatment is Christianly scientific: without it, St. John warns, we abide in death. Even stronger is his statement. "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer."

Not only on the threshold of a new year, but daily, and if need be hourly, let us take stock mentally. The watchful Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science gives us an unfailing yardstick with which to measure our progress Spiritward in this puissant paragraph. She writes (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 239): "To ascertain our progress, we must learn where our affections are placed and whom we acknowledge and obey as God. If divine Love is becoming nearer, dearer, and more real to us, matter is then submitting to Spirit."

If family, friends, and associates note a lessening of self-will and self-importance with us, progress is being made. If fellow church members find us more cooperative and less critical, man's real selfhood is appearing. If thought is less conscious of selfish desires, and is reaching out more spontaneously to loving service for the neighbor, affection is becoming Godlike. Yes, "if divine Love is becoming nearer, dearer, and more real to us." if we have frequent stocktakings, mental housecleanings, and wholesome restocking of those qualities of God which constitute, through reflection, the real man, we may affirm with joyous conviction. We shall have a happy New Year.

John Randall Dunn