The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-03-06
Usefulness Vital To
 Better Generations
World To-day Needs Men and Women to Rebuke
 Self1sfness Opportunity Is Ever Present
Written for the Christian Science Monitor

| ism nullIfies these obstructive ar- guments of material sense. Gods purpose for all is the joyful ex- perience of usefulness, fruitful activity, and progress. The time and place for this unfoldmen are present here and now for all.
 Mary Baker Eddy, the revered Discoverer and Founder of Chris tian Science, gives to troubled mankind an uplifting, inspiring message when she writes, ".ro do god to all because we love all, and to use in Gods service the one talent that we all have,f is our only means of adding to that tall ent and the best way to silence a deep discontent with our shortcom- lngs" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 195). How comforting are these words to one depressed by the lying sugges- tionS that the world has no need of him, and that he is useless tot himself, his family, and com munity! Thoughtful study and ap- p1ication of this wise counsel will put to flight such stultifying, mor- bid thinking and give him a new, true view of mar as Gods useful expression.
 Everyone has some .alent which he can and should use in Gods service. In some people ability to do some one thing especially we'll may be noticeable and enable them to accomplish much good. In others talent may lie dormant in thought or be temporarily render ed intellectual by envy, self-depre- citation, mental laziness, or other errors. As. the purifying rays of Truth are allowed to- shine on i'm dividual human consciousness, these darkening beliefs are des- tined to disappear.
 It is helpful for all to study Jesus parable of the talents, in which the good and faithful" servants, who used their various talents, were commended by their master. The complaining, disobedient servant, who failed to use the one talent he possessed, found even that one taken from him.
 In her Message to The Mother Church for 1900, Mrs Eddy says (p. 8, "UsefUIness is doing rightly by yourself and others" This il- luminating statement induces self examination and a wiser attitude toward onc's own and another's duties. Sometimes an individual is so deluded by a sense of personal attachment, human pity, or ambi- tion that he assumes responsibil- ities which belong to another. Lov- ing diScernment and moral courage can lift this load from his should CTS, and so lead him to do more successfully the work which is his own to do. Every individual is de- pendent upon God alone for his supply of good. The happy, con- tented person is he who sees clear ly this great truth and utilizes every discumstance to prove it.
 The individual is also doing rightly by himself when, through spiritual understanding, he rejects as unreal and powerless the ag- gresive claims of age tempera- mental difficulties, or unfavorable environment. Christian Science has revealed God as indestructible life, and man, His image, as always at the standpoint of vigor, capability, and achievement. Even a slight de- gree of understanding of this divine fact encourages one to re- sist the lie that advancing years must bring inactivity and a dulled mentality. Owing to this glimpse of life eternal. succeeding birth days and dominating human the- ories lose their power to convince him that he must avoid strenuous activity and prepare for a gradual but inevitable condition of feeble ness. Every thoughtful person c,I, ,1 faI, f,~ay of hi fc thoughts, lest by a mistaken sense himself or another to the figura- tive chimney corner"
 What are called poor business conditions may seem to give force to the harmful arguments that one is displaced, misplaced, or has no place at all. The fact that God, un- changing divine Principle, eternal ly maintains His entire creation in bperfect, harmonious adjustment re- flutes such disheartening fears and, when realized, frees their victims.
 Many are familiar with the old adage, "A place for everything, and everything in its place." Mere human reasoning, however, is in- adequate to guido one seeking to find his right place. Divine wis., dom alone can do this.
 Spiritual man, the beloved son of the Father, lives. and has his be- ing in the realm of divine Mind. Being the unvsrying reflection of divine Mind, he is never out of his right place. An individuals right work consists. then, in serving mankind through the active, un- interrupted expression of spiritual ideas and qualities. This happy state constitutes his usefulness and the reason for his existence.
 In human experience, one may be troubled on every side. yet not distressed" if he will cling cour- ageously to these spiritual truths and thank God daily for every op- portunity, however small, to reflect that Love which inspires and
 blesses every good ded.