Article July 3, 1937 Issue

Alertness

MINNIE H. GRISWOLD

The divinely directed message of Christian Science teaches that there is but one Mind, God. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy has written (p. 301), "The belief that man has any other substance, or mind, is not spiritual and breaks the First Commandment, Thou shalt have one God, one Mind." When the student of Christian Science discerns that the belief in other minds not only breaks the First Commandment but is also the source of inharmony, he is aroused to the importance of learning to distinguish between the truth about the one and only Mind, God, and the error of material sense which would cause him to believe in and place reliance upon any other so-called mind. To distinguish between Truth and error requires keen watchfulness, alertness, at all times, and it safeguards one from being influenced by unstable, illusive human opinions, or, as St. Paul said, "enticing words of man's wisdom."

When we realize that every waking moment is occupied with some manner of thinking, we see that the task of keeping thought in line with the First Commandment requires unceasing prayer and vigilance.

One may ask how this requirement can be fulfilled when attention must be given to ordinary human affairs. This need is met by beginning the day with the study of the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly, consisting of selections from the Bible and Science and Health. One is thus prepared to go forth conscious of God's presence and protection for the day. He finds himself keenly alert to discern and reject the subtle mesmeric influences which might otherwise find him off guard. In this manner he is able to thwart the suggestions of evil and maintain the clear distinction between right and wrong thoughts.

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