In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," p. 129, Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy says, "Progress is the law of God." Being the law of God, progress is therefore the law for man and the universe. A root hidden in a cave, covered up by rubbish, will stretch out its tendrils toward the opening where the light enters. It may seem to be dwarfed and warped by obstacles and hindrances, but it struggles around them all, until it finally reaches the light. When it has accomplished its purpose that far, it does not stop, but keeps on reaching out and up toward the sun, inhaling that vitalizing, invigorating force which thrills every fibre of its being and begets within it the power of productiveness. So is it with mankind. There is the same outward, upward propensity; the same indomitable, progressive tendency, which, though in some cases it may seem to be dwarfed or misguided for a season, will nevertheless work its way clear at last, to flourish in the refreshing sunlight of God's love. "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart," is the Word of Truth.
In every individual there is to be found, in a greater or less degree, this longing desire for advancement, an aspiration for something better and higher than he has already attained. Since a better condition is but a nearer approach to the absolute Good, this aspiring proclivity is a seeking after God, "the soul's sincere desire," the true prayer. It is manifested in the outstretched arms of the infant, the aspirations of boyhood, the ambitions of youth, the careful investigations of manhood, the quiet contemplations of age; from beginning to end it is a continual seek! seek! The great question is what do we seek and how do we seek it?
The various and futile attempts to gratify this longing of the human heart with mere sensual pleasures, gratification of the appetites, indulgence of vanity, search for power to satisfy personal ambition, and the exciting chase after money and worldly gain, it is not necessary to consider at any length. The word failure is written too plainly across their face for thinking men to be deceived by them very long, and yet it is surprising to see how strong at times is the mesmerism that seems to delude men with this vain show. There are questions of greater import which must sooner or later demand the attention of every one; viz., the whence, what, why, and whither of this "I," this self and its surroundings. The question then arises, "Where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?"
