The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-09-07
Overcoming Encouragement


As Of achievem snt because men
have listened to this subtle argu-
ment! What destructive influence
it seeks to exert over the affairs CT
mankind; yet it Isl really nonexistent
"a negative condition. Can there
possibly be insufficient courage for
him who refuses to give up his right
to this ever available, unlimited
spiritual gift of courage? During
times of financial stress it Is often
necessary to draw deeply upon 1t, II
one would prove invalid the mortal
claims of lack that appear on every
hand.
A lesson in courage was gained by
observing a young vine that had been
carelessly planted in rockery
against a brick wall. 1t had very
little earth around it's roots, and be-
cause of overhanging caves, was de-
prived of rainfall. Yet, in spite of
this, it had established itself. At
first, progress aboveground was very
much retarded, but at length sim
gle stalk had climbed about two feet
up the wall, when it was pulled down
and broken off by little child. One
who had been observing the vines
persistence felt quite regretful to see
its growth apparently thwarted, but
a further lesson was learned when,
within short time, there grew from
the broken end two branches where
only one had been before.
For this little viIfe the business of
turning out stems and leaves had to
be taken care of. Instead of wither-
ing in the dry and stony ground, it
thrust long roots down below the
stones in search of moisture. From
these deep roots the plant was we'll
sustained, even through hot, dry
summers So the apparently unfa-
vorable environment proved unable
to prevent sturdy growth.
Those who are endeavoring to es-
tablish a business enterprise during
a financial depression might well take
a lesson from the vine. In such SEEM
ingly arid times, when business does
not flow readily to the young con-
Germ, much courageous persistence is
needed to continue spreading its roots
beyond the disappointingly dry terri
tory; thus the courage born of faith
in Gods sustaining laws will inevi-
tably lead to profitable contacts.
Strong, consistent, upward growth
proves that this radical stand for
progress yields good results. The
withstanding of Universities may bring
the experience which aids one in
grounding his business so firmly on
the knowledge of the truth that
drn11 ohf ar ctr nnWnr1nCo I'm
harm it. Pride in merely making ga
good showing" must give place to the
greater wisdom of first esta blishing
sound basis, for the overhead
should not be more than the flow Of
business can sustain at all times.
Even if first achievement seems to
come to grief, progressive expansion
cannot long be checked if the founda-
ton is well laid.
In "Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy
has written (p. 1897: "The devotion
of thought to an honest achievement
makes the achievement possible. Ex-
ceptions only confirm this rule, prov
ing that failure is occasioned by a
too feeble faith" Any business, to be
truly successful, must be built on an
ideal of honest and loving service to
mankind, and not carried on for per-
sonal exaltation or selfish ambition.
Thus established, it is indeed the
Fathers business" and under the
protection Of the divine law of prog
resS.
The disciple James writes, eff We
fulfil the royal law according to the
scripture, Thou shalt love thy neigh
bour as myself, We do we'll" Since all
legitimate business is based prima-
rily on this ideal of service, this royal
law should be the tap-root that slim
ulates growth. Christian Science
teaches that such a service has with
in itself all the essentials for pros
porous expansion.
Under divine law there is no UNI
fair competition by which one bust
ness succeeds at the expense of an
other. The service that each one can
offer is God-given ability, and is
as individual to each as is the per-
fume of the rose or color to the sun
flower. Although growing side by
side, one plant cannot deprive its
neighbor' of the characteristics that
belong to it. Is it cause for discour-
agement that grains of wheat can
never become majestic oak trees?
They can, however. develop into acres
of grain, and w,.o tan Soy that t..cse
are of less Importance than a forest
of oak?
Gods divine law, which protected
and prospered an honest enterprise
in ancient times. is just as effectual
today, and The commandment given
to Joshua is still as imperative:
"Only be thou strong and very cour-
ageous, that thou rlayest observe TO
do according to all the law, which
Moses my servant commanded thee:
turn not from it to the right hand or
to the left, that thou mayest prosper
whithersoever thou goest - The
Christian Science Monitor.