Editorial February 7, 1942 Issue

Be Alert!

George Shaw Cook

Alertness is a quality which is very much needed in these times, but to be alert does not necessarily mean to be apprehensive. Indeed, apprehensiveness invites rather than forestalls danger; for as Job said, "The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me." Even those who are not acquainted with the book of Job may be aware of the fact that, in belief, fear brings into human experience many discordant conditions, including disease and disaster.

When there is threatened disaster to individuals, groups, or nations, there are often those who add to the danger by circulation of baseless rumors which tend to create fear. Therefore, it is well in such times not to be unduly swayed by reports which, when investigated, will be found to be without basis in fact.

It is the part of good citizenship and of common sense, in the midst of conditions such as seem to exist at present, to comply with all reasonable requests and regulations made by those whose object is to promote public safety. Students of Christian Science, however, even though having taken such steps, would not be likely to be alarmed by reports circulated thoughtlessly. On the contrary, they would regard all human footsteps taken for protection as of secondary importance and would depend primarily for security on the omnipresence and omnipotence of God, infinite good. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 494): "The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love. Jesus demonstrated the inability of corporeality, as well as the infinite ability of Spirit, thus helping erring human sense to flee from its own convictions and seek safety in divine Science."

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