Article March 23, 1929 Issue

Daily Defense

EDMUND HOGG

The Christian Scientist is bidden "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" (Church Manual, p. 42). When it is remembered that consent to evil of any kind can come only through a false personal sense that is ignorant of God, good, we look to spiritual sense to defend our mental citadels.

Christian Scientists try ever to remember that man's being is wholly spiritual, and that so-called matter does not exist. In a wonderful statement in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says (p. 544): "Matter cannot change the eternal fact that man exists because God exists." It is evident from the gospel records that Christ Jesus understood the spiritual nature of man, and that this gave him unparalleled healing power. Though on occasion he sternly rebuked evil beliefs, yet he consistently turned the thoughts of his disciples to God, as when he said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." By this admonition he defined God as the divine source of all true healing power.

Any failure of the student of Christian Science is traceable to the false belief that man is material instead of the spiritual reflection of God, good. The Gospels show that Jesus held exclusively to this true view of man; for he said, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge." In imitation of the Way-shower the Christian Scientist must cultivate this true view of selfhood.

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