In our business we find it well occasionally to take an account of stock; to estimate our gain or loss, as the case may be; to decide whether we are making sufficient headway to justify the effort we are putting forth; and to discover, if possible, how we may improve our investment. In a certain sense this is occasionally as useful to the student of Christian Science as to the merchant. There is this difference, however: the profit or loss of the one is measured by material things; that of the other by spiritual things.
The Christian Scientist learns that the solving of his individual problem cannot be delegated to another. He must be his own accountant and must render account to his own conscience. Certain questions, however, that are fundamental, apply to each. If an inventory is filed away and forgotten, it is of little use. A careful analysis of it is likely to reveal information that should prove helpful, supplying intelligent answers to many leading questions. The merchant will want to know if salable merchandise has been purchased and if proper effort has been made to move the stock. He will want to know if his shelves are filled with goods no longer in demand. His inventory should furnish answers to these and many similar questions.
Are there not questions equally pertinent that the student of Christian Science might well ask himself as he scrutinizes his mental inventory? What was his condition a year ago, two years ago, or when he first began the study of Christian Science; and how does it compare with his present situation? Has he gained a better understanding of God and has he proved in a degree at least the power of Truth to heal? Has his increased understanding brought to him some measure of happiness and confidence he did not possess before? Has enough time and thought been devoted to those spiritual ideas which have proved most effective and constructive? Is effort that might be put to better use being wasted on nonessentials? Are old hatreds, resentments, and animosities that should have been discarded long ago being retained in his consciousness? It would be well to replace self-will, pride of power, inordinate ambition, jealousy, and similar errors with those enduring virtues which are always in demand: whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.
