Article December 11, 1902 Issue

An Important Lesson

MRS. L. M. EARLE

THIS admonition is given us by our Leader in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," p. 392, "Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you may control yourself harmoniously." And she further states: "The issues of pain or pleasure must come through mind; and—like a watchman forsaking his post—we admit the intruder, forgetting that through Divine help we can guard this entrance."

This statement recalls an experience I had several years ago which illustrates how hard it is to get rid of an erroneous thought after it once gains a foothold in our consciousness, as well as the necessity for performing our office as porter and promptly and firmly shutting it out, and without parley.

I answered a ring of the door-bell one morning to find a pleasant-voiced, attractive young lady who wished to show me the prospectus of a set of books for which she was canvassing. I told her I had not time to look at it. neither did I care for the work, but this did not deter her from a further attempt to overcome my judgment by her persuasive powers. As I was inexperienced and did not care to seem rude, I suppose I did not speak firmly enough. After she had held me some time in conversation, thinking to convince her that I really did not need the books, I invited her to step in and see two large, well-filled bookcases. So determined and persistent was she, however, that she then calmly seated herself and from that vantage-ground renewed her attack. I made another attempt to get rid of her by saying that I was engaged in making cake when she came, and should like to be excused and go on with my work, whereupon, by this time rightly guessing that I was alone in the house, she proposed to accompany me to the kitchen. Finding myself caught in a trap, as it were, there was but one thing left for me to do, and that was to remain firm in my refusal to sign a paper which it seemed to be her purpose to compel me to do. After spending three long hours in a vain attempt to conquer by persuasive art, and finding herself unsuccessful, she became very abusive and insulting, finally taking her departure in a perfect rage because all her efforts had failed.

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