HUMBLE, childlike thankfulness is the first requisite in our warfare against financial limitation. This gives one a fixed determination to conquer and succeed which brings its inevitable result—prosperity. As a popular writer puts it, "Intense optimistic thought is a mental dynamite, and blasts an opening through impassable rocks." Lest, however, we attempt to overcome error by sheer will-power, we must learn to combine understanding with zeal for right. We must know each moment that immortal Mind is the eternal and harmonious force ruling the universe and governing man. The teaching of resistance, or stoicism, as preached and lived in ancient Athens by Zeno, was: "You are here neither to laugh nor to cry, but to keep your place in the battle-line and do your simple duty as soldiers of principle! Do not be afraid. Poverty cannot hurt you. Sickness cannot hurt you so long as you keep your place in the ranks with your face toward the enemy." On page 120 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes: "The Science of Mind-healing shows it to be impossible for aught but Mind to testify truly or to exhibit the real status of man."
The Jew and the Gentile, the orthodox and the liberal, holds each to his respective creed, striving for harmony, as expressed in prosperity, happiness, and success. Like their fathers, they believe that all must struggle by human willpower for that which in reality is man's divinely bestowed heritage; but, thanks to the Discoverer of Christian Science, we have learned that we may attain true prosperity by the understanding of the all-power of Mind, the true substance and intelligence. Turning from individuals to nations, we witness the inhabitants of one country ready to destroy the inhabitants of another country in a struggle for those very things which the understanding of Love will supply in a nobler and surer way. The Christ with us will ultimately turn all hate to love and cause warring nations to see they have more to gain by helping each other than could be gained by conquest. When this is clearly understood, oppression and poverty will cease and Truth's mastery over injustice and dishonesty be realized. Love is the only antidote for hate. It is a two-edged sword, destroying malice and fear. It is the liberator which will give to all Christian peoples who listen for and obey the message of "on earth peace, good will to men," complete mastery over their foes. The power of Love understood is finely expressed by Mrs. Eddy in this statement: "One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfills the Scripture, 'Love thy neighbor as thyself" (Science and Health, p. 340).
Having discovered the dynamic power of "intense optimistic thought," it is important to know that its source is divine Principle; then we may courageously assail the fear of limitation with perfect confidence in the power of God. The instructions given to the children of Israel, through Joshua, are very significant in the light of Christian Science. God said, "Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, . . . Only be thou strong and very courageous, . that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. . . . for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee?"
