In these days of adjustment and reconstruction much is said about labor and the workingman, and a correct and mutual understanding of these terms is necessary for arriving at harmonious relations and contentment. At present there seems to be much unrest, whatever the work may be: in politics, in business, in manual labor among men, in housework among women. On every side one finds discontent, which is due to misunderstanding; so the important work now is to bring about a right understanding. This can be done only as each one realizes he is a workman in this great field which embraces the whole world; as each one is willing to think for himself according to his highest sense of right,—that is, from Principle, and to follow it up with right acting. It might seem that the Golden Rule is out of fashion, but that rule is just where each workman must start, for it embodies the Scriptural command, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," which surely will bring about the recognition of the brotherhood of man. These last three words have been misunderstood also, for they do not mean that each man must become like every other man; nor do they imply a heaven where all walk around playing on harps of gold, clad in white garments. The brotherhood of man means that God, Principle, is one Mind expressed as infinite idea, in variety, versatility, individuality, as shown in different kinds of work, each in the best place for himself and for others.
Heaven is here and now, and is found as each one realizes his work is for God, and that he can always and in every way be about his Father's business. Mrs. Eddy tells us that ''God rests in action" (Science and Health, p. 519). Must it not be wonderful to realize the truth of this statement—as all will, because many are proving it every day? What consolation to the weary and disheartened to know that labor can be not only harmonious, but joyful. In Isaiah we read, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." God's promises are always kept; so here we see the reward of those who really and understandingly depend on God. Many are desiring to find this help and earnestly strive to do God's will, yet they seem to fail; and until the discovery of divine Science by Mrs. Eddy it seemed almost impossible to follow the way Jesus told of and lived.
In the following verse from Paul's second epistle to Timothy there is much help to be gained from a careful study of the spiritual meaning, as we are taught how to do in Science and Health: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The first word is usually either overlooked or only slightly considered, and yet it is most important to heed its full meaning in connection with the rest of the sentence, as thereby one becomes the most necessary workman of all, a student of the Bible. In the spiritual interpretation of that Book everything needful to mankind can be learned, and Christian Science is the key to that meaning. To be approved unto God one must know God and be known of Him, and, as we read in Habakkuk that He is "of purer eyes than to behold evil," God must be all good and know only good; hence the necessity of being a good workman. In Cruden's Bible Concordance the word "shame" is given as meaning also to confound, to disorder, or mingle; so the last sentence of this verse is understood to mean finding the truth, the reality about any condition or situation; not confounding it with error, nor mingling it with untruth. In other words, one must arrive at a clear-cut decision according to Principle. Now, that may seem difficult at times, but it can always be done if we understand God as Principle, Mind, Truth, divine Love.
