IN the swiftly changing and interesting panorama of world events the thoughtful observer beholds a great social evolution. In order to pursue a worth-while career amid these fleeting and often discordant elements of modern life, workers in the vast field of human endeavor, as well as those college youths who at the commencement season stand upon the threshold of wider experience, must consider their individual relation to organized society for the purpose of seeking to give definite service therein.
Those whose training has fitted them for constructive service recognize that education not only confers privileges, but imposes obligations. Accepting his responsibility with courage and high resolve to make true ideals and aspirations practical in everyday experience, the thinking individual sincerely desires to consecrate his career to uplifting service to mankind. In the sharp attrition of experience with the ways of the world, however, one may be tempted to think inspiration a will-o'-the-wisp and ideals impractical and impossible in a workaday world. Unless mentally equipped to cope with the beliefs of disillusionment which frequently present themselves, one may ultimately drift into cynicism, which would blind him to opportunity and thereby limit useful achievement.
A Christianly scientific analysis of the situation reveals that every truly exalted aspiration emanates from God, the source of all good. It is obvious that the elements of disappointment, failure, and disillusionment are not inherent in the ideals and aspirations themselves. We are compelled then to conclude that the error lies in the human angle from which these ideals and aspirations have been viewed and in the material avenue of advance toward their realization. This fact was illustrated to a party of Christian Scientists who descended a mountain during a storm. Sweeping down from the high peaks, heavy clouds enveloped the mountains and the valley in premature darkness. As the car swung around a point far above the valley, a light appeared, dim and distant. When the party reached the lower levels, the torrential rain and clouds were left behind. The faint glimmer was then discovered to be the powerful illumination at a service station located at the end of the trail. The apparent dimness of the lights was due to the fact that they were seen through the rain and heavy clouds.
