Article March 10, 1923 Issue

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MABELLE SCHAEFER

ALL Christian Scientists admit that although man is perfect now, reflects God now, and will always remain the harmonious reflection of good, yet there is a regenerating period necessary for all of us before we have demonstrated dominion over the works of evil, and have put all error under our feet. This process of regeneration is an absolute necessity; and we should undertake it joyfully, gradually progressing even until the "last enemy" shall have been destroyed.

Now, this activity must take place in our thinking. And in order to be awake to the subtle suggestions of evil, we must watch. This watching is for every moment of every day. As we begin this process of watching and working, refusing to retain in our thinking anything which does not emanate from God, — thus being about our Father's business, — we recognize many false, evil suggestions, the entertainment of which has usually been accepted as thinking. This acceptance of erroneous beliefs has caused us to deviate from the straight and narrow way which leads to harmony, influencing us to believe, possibly, in physical or financial difficulties, which would have been avoided had we watched and recognized such beliefs as not really thinking at all, but simply the encouraging of false, evil suggestions which should have been denied and destroyed. Mrs. Eddy says in the Message for 1902 (p. 18), "Be faithful at the temple gate of conscience, wakefully guard it; then thou wilt know when the thief cometh." She also says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 114): "Christian Scientists cannot watch too sedulously, or bar their doors too closely, or pray to God too fervently, for deliverance from the claims of evil. Thus doing, Scientists will silence evil suggestions, uncover their methods, and stop their hidden influence upon the lives of mortals."

It is not a difficult task to know when we are thinking rightly, if we stop long enough to consider whether or not our thoughts lead us to God. After making a thorough study of what God is, it will be very clear to us that thoughts which uphold sin, disease, or death do not emanate from perfect, harmonious Life. Thoughts which sustain the belief of matter or mortal mind cannot be spiritual. God is Spirit; and they who worship Him must worship Him "in spirit and in truth." Again, individuals who find entertainment and enjoyment in evil and inharmonious conditions have not recognized that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. In the Glossary in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 587) Mrs. Eddy defines heaven thus: "Harmony; the reign of Spirit; government by divine Principle; spirituality; bliss; the atmosphere of Soul."

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