Mortals, having been taught to believe in an evil power, and to base their conclusions in regard to environment and circumstance solely upon the evidence furnished by material sense testimony, seem at every turn to encounter unsurmountable difficulties. They believe they have been placed in an unfriendly universe without their own consent, and that they are the victims of circumstances and laws over which they have no control. Is it any wonder that many individuals, disheartened and discouraged, have come to believe that a mortal is the football of chance, fate-kicked hither and yon by some unkind providence?
From the materialist's point of view, on every side appear things and conditions which need correcting, or circumstances which could be improved upon. To such a one it seems a far cry to Utopia or an ideal state of perfection. Misled by false sense into believing himself to be an individual being with a mind, life, will, and power of his own, bravely, perhaps, he strives for better things, seeking to improve upon the surrounding illusions.
Thank God, the striving for good is not in vain! The very reaching out for perfection is right desire; and as Mrs. Eddy writes, "Desire is prayer" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 1). On the next page she continues: "Are we benefited by praying? Yes, the desire which goes forth hungering after righteousness is blessed of our Father, and it does not return unto us void."
