A sincere and devoted student of Christian Science was called upon to build a business organization. From the very inception of the enterprise he was left free to choose the men to fill every position. The business became very successful, so much so that the student was eventually promoted to another position, where he was given the task of reorganizing a business activity which had fallen so far behind in production that it seemed on the road to failure. As rapidly as practicable he put into operation methods and plans that had proved successful in his former business. He expected results similar to those achieved before. However, this was not the case, and progress seemed much slower. He found himself becoming impatient at delays; also at the apparent lack of comprehension of his plans and methods on the part of members of the new organization. His impulse was to discharge many employees, with the thought that he would find others of the type he had secured in his former organization.
At this point, however, he saw the need of clear, scientific thinking. He talked with a fellow student of Christian Science, who pointed out to him the difference between his former task of organizing and his present one of reorganizing. It was much the same as the difference between the task of building a new large office building and that of remodeling an old building. In the one case he would start from the foundation. In the second case he would need to be very careful not to remove supporting girders and walls, else he might soon have the whole building down on his head. With this thought, his impatience was healed. As he began to work more willingly with the material he had at hand, he discovered much good in the organization to which his impatience had blinded him before. In a remarkably short time the business reflected this changed thinking in increased volume and decidedly better relations with customers. Gradually, incompetence came to the surface, was healed or removed, and competent men were brought in. In less than a year the business was changed from threatened failure to success.
In our work of spreading the gospel of Christian Science we are all engaged in remodeling. The mortal is not to be changed into the immortal, but the human consciousness which has accepted mortal models and false ideals must turn to spiritual models and Christlike ideals. Deep-seated convictions as to what constitutes human goodness cannot be immediately removed without danger of discouraging the young student. Our Leader gives us specific directions on this point. She says (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 296), "An improved belief is one step out of error, and aids in taking the next step and in understanding the situation in Christian Science."
