ON NOT TAKING MORTAL MIND'S BAIT

MAX LEVERTON

Sometimes one feels that he has swallowed the bait of mortal mind's offering and is being drawn into captivity to materialism with no means of escape. But through Christian Science he can gain his freedom. A study of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy reveals to us the true and indestructible relationship between God and man, made in His image and likeness. It also reveals to us the divine fact that man's harmony is intact and safe in God's keeping. In speaking of man, Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 518): "His birthright is dominion, not subjection. He is lord of the belief in earth and heaven,—himself subordinate alone to his Maker. This is the Science of being."

Let us examine some of the bait mortal mind is offering today to capture its victim: the glamour of materialism; pride of position and pride of possession; personal adoration; indulgence in smoking and alcoholic beverages. While claiming to be attractive and alluring, all mortal mind's bait leads to captivity to physical sense, the pretender to satisfaction and harmony.

Christian Science teaches that there is but one real attraction, the attraction of Spirit; that man is obedient to the Mind that made him and cannot be influenced erroneously. Understanding this truth will enable one to detect and avoid the bait of mortal mind and exercise his dominion as a child of God.

The master Christian, Christ Jesus, taught us the way to obtain and retain our freedom when he stated (John 8: 32), "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Does anyone find himself feeding on error's bait, believing that he has an incurable disease or that he is in some other hopeless situation? Then let him gain his freedom by turning to the ever-operative divine law of Life, Truth, and Love and know that God's law governs all.

The following experience proves this to be possible. A student of Christian Science found himself in a position which seemed hopeless, but through the application of the teachings of Christian Science he gained immediate release from threatened disaster. He was traveling in his car during World War II and stopped to pick up a sailor who asked for a lift. This young serviceman had been on submarine duty in many battles in the Pacific during the early days when the United States was trying to recapture some of the islands. Soon after he got into the car he became quite disturbed and suddenly drew a gun, saying, "They taught me to kill; so I am going to kill you."

The driver of the car, realizing that the Christ-idea, which reveals man as God's image, is ever present to save and heal, replied, "You were not taught to kill but to defend yourself, and since no one wants to harm you, I know you don't want to harm anyone." With that the lad put the gun away and regained his composure. He too felt the healing effect of the Christ, Truth, and when he left the car after a fifty mile drive, he said, "I think I was quite a case when I got into your car, but I feel all right now."

In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy assures us that our freedom is not at the disposal of any person, nor can it be granted to us or withheld from us through human will or whim. Freedom is ours by divine right and is in the hands of God, in the keeping of Spirit, not matter. In that heart-warming invitation to recognize one's true status and accept it, our Leader writes (p. 227): "Citizens of the world, accept the 'glorious liberty of the children of God,' and be free! This is your divine right."

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