Article August 20, 1927 Issue

"Alertness to Duty"

MARGUERITE SCOTT TILL

In the Manual of The Mother Church (p. 42), in the By-law headed "Alertness to Duty," Mrs. Eddy tells us: "It shall be the duty of every 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. By his works he shall be judged,—and justified or condemned."

The members of our Christian Science churches recognize the importance of individual faithful obedience to this command. The question, "What is the best way to defend ourselves against aggressive mental suggestion?" is often asked by those about to join our ranks. A simple illustration may be useful. When water in sufficient quantity is poured on a fire, it will speedily extinguish the flames. In the same way we can pour our knowledge of the power of good upon an erroneous belief, and this knowledge will finally annihilate it. Indeed, the understanding and demonstration of good is the only extinguisher of the belief of evil.

Clearly, then, it is imperative that the first step to take in our defense against "aggressive mental suggestion" is to quench in our thinking every sinning sense or erroneous belief. To do this we must be willing to relinquish the false concepts we have been holding. It is only by doing this that we can become qualified to aid ourselves and others. Only thus the light of Truth, the light of overflowing love, of tender mercy, deep compassion, and good will to men, can find place in our consciousness. Many to-day have begun to realize the mighty power of good which has pervaded the centuries. This power is capable of doing wonders; and it does not need the aid of human device. Jesus understood the power of good so well that he used it for the redemption of mankind. With it he refuted and disproved every kind of evil belief, of sin, disease, and death included.

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