Article January 17, 1942 Issue

"Science or suffering"

[Written Especially for Young People]

PEARL G. ANDREWS

It is sometimes declared that evil is more prevalent and aggressive today than ever before, and yet the carnal mind in our present time is the same carnal mind of centuries ago. The only difference is that its assumed forms and phases have come more boldly to light, and are therefore ready and open for destruction.

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has presented to a world awaiting its salvation a demonstrable religion based upon divine Principle, fully equipped with forces impregnable to meet and master all sin, sickness, and even the claim of death, as well as those subtle forms of error so hidden as to appear insignificant and harmless. The alert and active Christian Scientist vigorously handles the slightest error which would tempt him to believe in a selfhood apart from God. Thus he is enabled to prevent the more flagrant or glaringly wicked forms of evil from entering his consciousness or being manifested in his life.

The youth of today, as of yore, is faced with many temptations. There is, however, a difference between temptation and sin. One may be tempted, but he does not have to sin. The yielding to temptation is sin. It is written in the Scriptures that Jesus "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Each temptation resisted and overcome takes one forward in spiritual progress. The handling and mastering of temptations or evil suggestions are as serpents turned into staffs. To sin is to suffer. To fall by the wayside of sinning sense is to learn hard lessons through suffering. But God, divine Love, our heavenly Father-Mother, has given us a mighty heritage. It is an inheritance of the qualities that render temptations futile and fruitless. We are indeed children of promise, going forth in the power of His might and wisdom with God-given ability to resist temptation, whether it seems to come personally, objectively, mentally, or audibly. To handle quickly and effectively the aggressive suggestions of error is to prevent their occurrence.

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