In these tempestuous days when the "adversary" seems to be walking about "seeking whom he may devour," Christian Scientists need to defend themselves against any sense of lethargy, or acquiescence in material beliefs, depression, or distress. The genuine, alert Christian Scientist is undaunted by the claims of carnal mind and rises with joy to meet every adverse condition or circumstance. He knows that the power of God is unfailing; and in that power he goes forward to face every foe with calmness, joy, assurance, and the certainty of victory.

During the last few years the world has faced what may be considered one of its greatest opportunities. Amid the mesmeric claims of mortal mind it has not been easy for mankind to discern this, but when the situation is analyzed from the viewpoint of Christian Science the opportunity is recognized.

In their striving to find material ways out of this wilderness men have many times said that there are no more frontiers to be conquered; that the days of individualism are past, and that the incentive for initiative and mastery is lessened in the different conditions of today. So it may seem from a materialistic viewpoint, but it is not so from the spiritual viewpoint.

In North America successive pioneers extended the frontiers of the country. With splendid courage they cut their way through a wilderness, crossed mountain ranges, cleared away vast forests, harnessed turbulent rivers, and laid the foundation for the development that we see today. Undaunted by any foe, these pioneers courageously met and mastered every obstacle. This phase of mastering frontiers may have ceased to a great extent when the path of civilization was blazed to the western shores, and cities and towns, fertile farms and vast industries, took the place of the wilderness; but the true spirit of mastery and individualism underlying that monumental work can never cease. All these outstanding accomplishments may be regarded as symbols of the vastly greater work of mastering every material and erroneous belief that would interfere with or obstruct mankind's spiritual progress towards a larger sense of harmony, peace, and prosperity.

Moses led the children of Israel "out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage," through the wilderness toward the promised land—a symbolic prophecy of mankind's ultimate deliverance from all evil, from the idolatrous beliefs in matter.

Christ Jesus came to demonstrate this higher sense of deliverance and showed mankind the way out of sin, disease, limitation, and death into purity, health, abundance, and life. Mrs. Eddy, as a pioneer, blazed the way and revealed the law governing spiritual mastery and deliverance, thereby showing us the spiritual weapons and mental equipment with which to clear away the obstructions of materiality, rise above the beliefs of evil, control the turbulent streams of error, and drive out the destructive elements of evil, disease, and death. In this joyous work the Bible and her writings are unfailing and sure guidebooks. They contain rules and counsel to meet every situation.

One of the first things to ascertain in facing present world conditions is the nature of the adversary we are confronting. It certainly is not a tangible foe or a material wilderness, but a mental condition, a picture of the world's material thinking.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 580) Mrs. Eddy defines "adversary" in part as "one who opposes, denies, disputes, not one who constructs and sustains reality and Truth." Thus it can be seen that any thing or thought that is destructive, restrictive, or limited, that would degrade, contaminate, or impoverish, is an adversary to be fearlessly faced and overcome. An adversary is not to be considered or regarded as necessarily something large and formidable. The term can and should be construed as applying to every erroneous thought—big or little, from within or without—which would oppose spiritual progress. Jesus said, "Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison." This word "agree," as here used, does not mean to yield to, accede, or to be in unison with the adversary. Such an attitude would place one on the same plane of belief as the evil he is striving to overcome, and consequently would lower his own standard by admitting evil to be real. One should concede to the adversary no power, reality, or actuality. Had Nehemiah admitted the necessity of going down to negotiate with his adversaries, he would have delayed, or perhaps failed in, the completion of his work.

Further, as Jesus used it, the word "agree" in no way implies acquiescence or conformity. But it does mean to come to terms with the adversary, not after a little delay or discussion, but at once, "whiles thou art in the way with him." If one tarries or hesitates, then he opens the way for "the adversary" to deliver him to the "judge," and thus permits mortal mind cast him into the prison of sin, sickness, or impoverishment.

Our Leader's teachings on this subject are clear and unqualified. For instance, on page 390 of Science and Health she says, "When the first symptoms of disease appear, dispute the testimony of the material senses with divine Science," adding, "Suffer no claim of sin or of sickness to grow upon the thought." On the next page she says, "Instead of blind and calm submission to the incipient or advanced stages of disease, rise in rebellion against them," and admonishes, "Make your own terms with sickness, and be just to yourself and to others." As it is with sickness and sin, so it is with limitation, lack, depression, or any other discord. Undaunted and unafraid, one should go straight forward through every obstacle, overcoming every thing, thought, or condition that would attempt to obstruct harmony and holiness.

In these days and in those to come, a higher sense of individualism must be developed, an individualism which was so splendidly symbolized in the pioneers, activities. There is before mankind a vast mental frontier to be mastered. There are invisible foes to be routed, sly ambushes to be defeated, material so-called laws to be annulled, qualities of thought and mortal beliefs to be faced and vanquished by right thinking. There is a mighty victory to be won. Every adverse circumstance is but another opportunity, another adversary which we must instantly recognize as unreal. To delay in correcting our own thought about it may mean defeat, or else an accumulation of error perhaps more difficult to overcome.

The way has been shown to us; the truth has been taught. Through obedience success is certain. Therefore, it is the duty of everyone to be ever watchful and alert, and to go fearlessly forward in knowing the truth. Every erroneous thought, every discordant condition, every material suggestion or belief is to be met as a challenge from an adversary, and vigorously grappled with without concession or delay. Then each step in overcoming gives one greater strength and courage to meet other claims of the adversary, and leads to ultimate and sure victory over every phase of mortality.