IN the restless effort of mankind to make the most out of mortal existence many display much zeal. With the industry of ants they accumulate riches, increase knowledge, and strive to build up happiness from the material of their mortal concepts. And yet, material riches, mortal power, human honor are unable to satisfy them permanently. Many a thinker, at the close of his career, has confessed with Paul, in quiet resignation, "We know in part." Others, after endless labors, find that much, if not all, that they have acquired has been deceptive and merely "vexation of spirit."
There are things which shine and pretend to be gold, which delude with their false brilliancy the eyes and senses of the inexperienced. Such are the restless indulgences of a sensuous concept of life,—deceptive assurances,—blossoms from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, that constantly promise a Christly mind and brotherly love, but never go beyond the promise.
Through the far-reaching and purifying influence of Christian Science the world is learning to recognize more and more clearly that all our experiences are merely the effects of our thinking, and that, consequently, the old and homely proverb, "All is not gold that glitters," has no truer and deeper significance than in the sphere of thought. Whether with reference to evil or to good, thought is always the precursor of the deed. If our mental activity is unselfish, pure, loving, in harmony with divine Love, then health, peace, and success must be the consequence. Concerning this Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 261), "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." If, on the other hand, our thinking is of the opposite nature, without love, seeking merely material honor and power, filled with mortal selfishness, we shall just as surely have the experience described in the words, "Thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life."
