A Christian Scientist had been invited, along with several other nature lovers, to watch the opening of a night-blooming cereus in the garden of a friend. Silently and patiently the small group waited; each moment they saw the bud's increasing unfoldment, although, despite the closest scrutiny, there was no perceptible movement of the petals. Finally, however, after several hours, the lovely waxen flower lay fully opened, its delicate beauty amply rewarding the patience of the watchers. To the Christian Scientist, observing the bud's imperceptible, uninterrupted progress to full flowering was a thought-provoking experience.

Often in our human experience we are prone to become discouraged over apparently slow progress. Sometimes it would seem that there is no progress at all, no activity even. But Christian Science teaches that this is only the lie of material sense; for man, as the idea of Mind, God, expresses the unending, irresistible activity of that Mind. There is never a moment when he is not reflecting—showing forth—the qualities of wisdom, alertness, intelligence, for there is never a moment when he is not reflecting Mind, whatever the corporeal senses may claim to the contrary.

If, however, our concept of activity is a wholly material one, if we think of it as a physical and mental scurrying about on worldly pursuits, then this false concept must be healed before we can experience satisfying spiritual progress. If we would give to our search for an understanding of Truth, through the study of Christian Science, half the enthusiasm and persistence we put into business or social matters, we should never have occasion to complain of our lack of progress. Jesus, our example in all things, said (John 6:27), "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you." The spiritual activity here indicated would not lessen our human acumen and achievements; rather would it sharpen and increase them and assure our progress in all human affairs. Even our human supply would be more stable and secure, for we would be consciously working for the "meat," or spiritual substance, which truly satisfies and is imperishable.

Some time ago, when it became necessary to make a change of residence, the writer had occasion to prove the omniactivity of Mind. Despite the claim that activity in the rental field was at a standstill, that nothing was "moving," she and her husband held to the fact that activity in its true sense is a quality of the divine Mind and that it is never limited or interrupted by mortal mind. Each morning their thought was strengthened and spiritualized by prayerful study of the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly, and they endeavored to express only the qualities which the true sense of home embodies, such as gentleness, courtesy, consideration, joy, and so on. Necessary human footsteps were taken in answering advertisements, making inquiries, and investigating every possibility which presented itself, but always with a grateful apprehension of the truth contained in the words from the Christian Science Hymnal (No. 278), "Pilgrim on earth, home and heaven are within thee."

The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, has in her writings made many helpful statements regarding the gaining of a correct understanding of progress and activity, and the study of these always proved successful in overcoming routine suggestions of discouragement or weariness. One of these from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" was a source of continual inspiration. In it our Leader says (p. 387), "But when we realize that immortal Mind is ever active, and that spiritual energies can neither wear out nor can so-called material law trespass upon God-given powers and resources, we are able to rest in Truth, refreshed by the assurances of immortality, opposed to mortality."

Within a short time a suitable and attractive apartment was found, thus proving that the right concept of any situation always brings about harmonious and satisfying adjustments in human experience.

Never since the days of Christ Jesus has there been an individual so unceasingly active in promoting the welfare of mankind as the forever Leader of the Christian Science movement. Through her unselfed, Love-directed work Mrs. Eddy has awakened thousands from the mental stagnation of sin and sickness to man's true status as the holy, perfect child of God. She never condoned apathy, never encouraged self-satisfied relaxation of vigilance. On the contrary, she expected of her followers what she herself exemplified and taught (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 340): "Be active, and, however slow, thy success is sure: toil is triumph; and —thou hast been faithful over a few things."