Editorial May 7, 1927 Issue

Protection from Evil

Duncan Sinclair

Christian Scientists never cease to be grateful for the protection which Christian Science affords them. Often evil may seem to be rampant, suggesting itself in many a form; and always its effort is to make us believe that it is real. Should evil convince us of its reality, then we become its victim; and its victim we remain until the evil belief is recognized as false, is reversed or denied, and so destroyed.

Christian Science teaches that the claims of evil can always be met by knowing the allness of God, good. That must be the scientific starting point if we would thwart the machinations of evil. Nothing can excel in potency the understanding of the truth that God is infinite good, and that, consequently, what is called evil is an unreal concept of the so-called human mind. How readily does the student of Christian Science admit the truth; but he has to be on guard lest he forget it when evil seems to be more in evidence than usual, or when perhaps to material sense all appears to be going smoothly with him.

Mrs. Eddy uses the term "animal magnetism" to denote the seeming activity of evil. She defines the term on page 484 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" thus: "Animal magnetism is the voluntary or involuntary action of error in all its forms; it is the human antipode of divine Science." The definition is a splendid one, stating exactly what appears to be going on often to a marked extent in human experience. Who has not, in belief, felt the "involuntary action of error" in large gatherings of people? How alert the Christian Scientist should therefore be on all such occasions, indeed before he ever takes part in them! There is the necessity that he should protect his thinking before he associates with any mass of people. This he can readily do beforehand by quietly retreating to the "secret place of the most High," there declaring the truth about the allness of good and the unreality of evil, and realizing the fact of man's entirely spiritual nature, and that, being at-one with perfect Mind, he is immune from every material or evil belief. And should he feel the need for protection when present in an assembly of people, he should without delay let his thoughts rest in the consciousness of Truth and abide there until the belief that evil is actively present has ceased. In doing so, not only does he ensure his own protection, but others also receive the benefit of his scientific mental work.

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