Article May 1, 1920 Issue

Defense

DORIS A. CHISHOLM

The writer recently experienced the deepest gratitude toward Mrs. Eddy for her keen spiritual perception and untiring devotion in giving Christian Science to hungering humanity. When seemingly troublous times were considered, it was clearly seen that the greatest protection is given to those who will obey the admonition in Article VIII, Section 6, of the Church Manual: "It shall be the duty of evey member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind." According to one dictionary the word "defend" means "to guard, to protect against danger," and our Leader tells us specifically in the section above mentioned that the danger is "aggressive mental suggestion." This rule was thus stated many years ago, and yet to-day it is one thing needful for the proving that the truth is always the truth.

Dwelling in material homes, we feel great security from being molested by thieves, murderers, or in fact, any intruder, as long as the doors and windows are locked and barred; and if the laws of our land are obeyed and other persons' rights are not infringed upon, each individual is left free to enjoy the quietude and comforts of home. Thus it is in our mental home. Constantly being alert to our duty in obeying the laws of God, as taught in Christian Science, in keeping our mental doors locked against all thieving and murderous thoughts, such as fear, prejudice, doubt, criticism, hatred, malice, revenge, sin, and their et ceteras, brings into our experience the consciousness of peace, harmony, health, happiness, prosperity, and all the good that is our rightful heritage. Each individual should constantly strive to know that true consciousness is pure and never permits anything to enter that "defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie."

Paul declared to the people of Athens, as he perceived their spiritual barrenness in their worship of the "unknown God," that "in him we live, and move, and have our being;" and as this great fact is more and more known and realized, it will be a positive defense against everything unlike God, good. As God is omnipotent, omnipresent Love, there is nothing to fear in mental suggestion, and evil, with all its claims, shall be seen in its absolute nothingness. As Mrs. Eddy says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 223), "May divine Love so permeate the affections of all those who have named the name of Christ in its fullest sense, that no counteracting influence can hinder their growth or taint their examples."

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