Toward the close of one of our Wednesday evening meetings a gentleman rose saying (I give the substance of his remarks, as I remember them): I am a stranger in your city and not a Christian Scientist. I am much impressed by this large attendance on such an oppressively warm evening; also by the evident sincerity and enthusiasm of those who have spoken. My lifework is to assist in solving the industrial problem through co-operation. While listening to the testimonies given of the healing of disease through Christian Science, I could not help thinking that surely if Christian Scientists would turn their attention to this other phase of the world s need they could accomplish much."
Since Christian Science was first announced to a weary world it has been solving this and every other problem; for it is the Science of Being, which states the Principle thereof, and gives the rule for demonstration. To consider somewhat how it is solving the industrial problem is the purpose of the present writing.
One day late in spring, I said to a gentleman who lives across the street from my house: "What has become of that lovely red-haw tree in the middle of your grove? I watched for its blossoming, but in vain." "I had it cut down on account of the toys," he replied. "You see they were always coming in for blossoms in spring and for haws in autumn, and they trampled my flowers and otherwise did a good deal of damage. I put up barbed wire, I set the coachman to watch for them, but nothing kept them out; so, as I wished no harm to the youngsters I decided that the easiest way to end the annoyance was to remove the cause." Few would be willing in a case of the kind to take such heroic measures, but the idea is correct that to get rid of discord the cause of it must be removed. It is by removing the cause of the discordant, distressing conditions that Christian Science is solving the industrial problem. Everything else which attempts to alleviate those conditions is but an expedient for the time being, dealing with effects rather than cause.
