It is becoming more and more widely recognized that an individual's thinking is very important in relation to his health, happiness, and well-being. But this recognition is only a single step in the right direction. In order to avail ourselves of the true remedy for all wrong thinking, we must realize the power of right thinking. The teachings of Christian Science help us to maintain positive thinking or spiritual discernment. False beliefs are displaced by the true ideas which become apparent. In thus purifying our consciousness, and awaking to the fundamental realities of being, we have a stronghold of spiritual understanding in which to dwell safely and without fear.

This defense is not against a real power, entity, or being; it is the defense of intelligence against ignorance. This progressive defense, in Christian Science, is the education of the human consciousness in the immortal reality of man's spiritual existence. It consists in awaking consciousness to accept true spiritual facts or ideas, thus disproving misconceptions and dispersing the mist of ignorance. In gaining academic education we do not think of ourselves as struggling with ignorance. Indeed, how could one struggle with ignorance, which is the absence of knowledge? In seeking an understanding of Christian Science, we are not struggling against something which is unreal, but are striving to grasp that which is real and true. Our attention is turned toward gaining the facts; and as we perceive the truth, the ignorance no longer exists.

In this educational process the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy are our textbooks. Herein we find God, good, as All-in-all, the one Spirit, Soul, or Mind, which governs all real existence, the only creator and the cause of all that really is. We find man in His likeness, the very expression or emanation of perfect Principle, Life, Truth, and Love. Intelligent, pure, loving, and free, the child of God dwells not in darkness, but in light—the light of perfect understanding and unchanging harmony. In the experience of healing, then, the true spiritual facts, which are eternally present, are revealed to our understanding. When, through prayer and earnest desire for truth, these realities dawn upon the awakened consciousness, the utter nothingness of sin and disease becomes apparent. Then to the enlightened thought, no longer deceived, these errors are obviously untrue, and therefore unreal, shorn of any suppositional presence or power.

On pages 234 and 235 of Science and Health, our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, writes: "Evil thoughts and aims reach no farther and do no more harm than one's belief permits. Evil thoughts, lusts, and malicious purposes cannot go forth, like wandering pollen, from one human mind to another, finding unsuspected lodgment, if virtue and truth build a strong defence."

In "Unity of Good" Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 17), "A lie has only one chance of successful deception,—to be accounted true." Error has no effect, except in so far as it is believed or feared. If suggestions of sin or false desire find no response within our consciousness; if suggestions of sickness or fear, malice or resentment, find no acceptance within us, then they fall into nothingness for lack of response or support. This is clearly illustrated when one who has been healed of indulging certain material pleasures or appetites finds that those false attractions awake no response in his thinking. The evil is no longer a temptation to him. Likewise, if malice finds no response in resentment or retaliation, but is met only with the calm, clear expression of love, that error destroys itself. What a blessed privilege we enjoy when we can daily build our strong defense, healing and cleansing our thinking with the truths of Christian Science! The spontaneous rejection of evil suggestions leaves us with no fear of sudden error or unsuspected lodgment of malicious purposes.

Sometimes we hear people blaming others for their own slow progress or discordant condition. It is a scientific fact that one cannot be affected by anything but that which enters his own consciousness. Where goodness and purity abide, there are joy and harmony: and where sin and falsity abide, there seem to be discord and strife. This fact shows the paramount necessity for dealing decisively with aggressive suggestions, and refusing to harbor the thief of false belief. If we entertain erroneous thoughts about others and do not immediately correct them, they abide with us; and where error abides, there is discord. Hence, if we should seem to see error as real, let us correct the belief the same instant, and healing will take place in our own consciousness. The true nature of man, perfect and unmarred in the likeness of God. will abide in our thought, and this will inevitably benefit others also. We shall not then be guilty of cluttering our own thoughts with that which is not true, so heaping up "wrath against the day of wrath."

It is interesting to note that when a family resides in one place for some time, many useless articles may accumulate. requiring elimination. How many false beliefs and memories gather in our consciousness, to be fondled and allowed to offer their meed of anguish! On page 201 of our textbook Mrs. Eddy writes: "We cannot fill vessels already full. They must first be emptied. Let us disrobe error. Then, when the winds of God blow, we shall not hug our tatters close about us." They who burn their bridges behind them and gain spiritual understanding are not haunted and bound by the errors of former years. In daily newness of life we find ourselves free, actively reflecting the pure and holy qualities of Life and Love. The clear spiritual consciousness looks forward and responds joyously to the call of progress. Recognizing our true relation to God as supreme, we spontaneously answer the call with consecrated thought and unremitting allegiance.

Progressive thinking is the best kind of defense. True thinking and doing good afford no mental foothold for error. Good is the only attraction. Knowing this, we align ourselves with God, seeking to become worthy of Jesus' promise, "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

What, then, is our "strong defence"? Even that purity of enlightened thought in which evil or error finds no abiding place. The present and eternal state of the real man is spiritual perfection. How good and pure was Christ Jesus, who was able to say, "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me"!