"Progress," Mrs. Eddy tells us, "is born of experience" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 296). Therefore it is enlightening to find in the modern school curriculum that certain courses often include what is known as practical experience, showing that this is considered essential to normal growth and knowledge. Experience governed by wisdom is pleasant to look back upon, as it holds no tedious retracing of false ways. Wise direction of one's affairs tends to steady advancement and orderly unfoldment of talent and ability. Our Leader writes (ibid., p. 324), "The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress."
The study of our textbook, together with the renewed interest in the Bible which this study arouses, enables students to apply greater wisdom and understanding to daily activities, with the result that concord and prosperity are apparent in place of fretfulness and fear. The application of true intelligence to small and large transactions makes for true progress, and brings to light the law of God, which is continually operating in man's behalf. Our daily living should show joyous overcomings, expectancy of good, and the recompense of Love. Progress will become painless when experience is wholly under the control of divine wisdom.
In Proverbs we read, "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;" and Mrs. Eddy writes, "The corner-stone of all spiritual building is purity" (Science and Health., p. 241). In spite of false claims of heredity or environment, we are free to choose our own thought-models in designing and building our lives. A useful career must have a stable groundwork, one which cannot be shaken or undermined by ridicule or adverse public opinion or circumstances. Honesty and purity must be put to practical daily use. So does the sincere worker build on the Rock, Truth. One who bases progress on "the purification of sense and self" finds that human shackles are being removed, environment improved, and co-operation and fellowship with his associates assured. No better cornerstone can be found for spiritual building than purity.
