Editorial October 30, 1943 Issue

Handling Serpents

Paul Stark Seeley

Not many of us are inclined physically to handle serpents. But the Master made it clear that serpentlike phases of material thought must be handled, mentally destroyed, by you and me. Said he of his followers, "They shall take up serpents;" and again, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents." He used the serpent figuratively as a symbol of the subtlety and poison of evil suggestions which, if we do not take them up and destroy them, remain a threat and dangerous obstacle on our path Truthward.

Christian Science likewise teaches that through the understanding of the Christ-idea of Life, every individual can dispose of the serpentine lies of evil which may claim to endanger his steps of progress. Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Miscellaneous Writings" (pp. 24, 25), "The Nazarene Prophet declared that his followers should handle serpents; that is, put down all subtle falsities or illusions, and thus destroy any supposed effect arising from false claims exercising their supposed power on the mind and body of man, against his holiness and health."

The most dangerous serpent every individual must needs take up, see the falsity of, then tread mentally underfoot, is apathy toward systematic, daily right thinking, true prayer. The most valuable gift God gives to you and me is the ability to think aright, the ability consciously to entertain the Christ, the spiritual idea of God and man. What are we doing with this gift of God? Are we burying this priceless talent in the earthen beliefs of indifference and stupidity, or are we using it daily and hourly to increase our grasp on reality and the glories of true being?

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