In the second chapter of Habakkuk we read (verse 1), "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved." Towers in Bible times were erected for refuge and defense and often stood beside the city gates, at the corners of the walls, and at intervals along them. From the vantage point of these towers, one could see what was necessary to be done.

We may assume that the prophet was using a familiar symbol to bring out to his hearers that in order to gain the spiritual height at which one may hear God's message, one has to elevate his thinking. The climax of God's message to Habakkuk was this (verse 20): "The Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him."

Christian Science accepts what the Bible makes clear, namely that we are all in reality the sons of God. And what is God likely to say to His son? Would it not be what He said to Christ Jesus on the occasion of his baptism (Matt. 3:17), "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased"? God does not reprove His own likeness, but the false concepts which mortals have of themselves bring the reproof of Truth.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Mary Baker Eddy writes (p. 392): "Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously."

In our daily contacts we are constantly exposed to the limiting, mortal beliefs of the materially minded. These beliefs of material existence would impose themselves upon us. It takes constant alertness on our part to refute their false testimony.

A common greeting in many countries of the world is, "How are you?" or, "How do you do?" or, "How are things going?" These greetings seem to carry an implication that one can he less than perfect or well and that things can go awry.

From the merely human point of view this is indeed often the case; but when one is standing porter, he is quick to realize that the man of God's creating is never less than happy, whole, and free. He is aware that no matter what material condition of disease—lack of ease or happiness—may seem to be present, he can answer for himself and his fellow men from the standpoint of the truth of being. Then to the query, "How are you?" one can answer truthfully and joyously, "Well, thank you!"

When certain diseases are brought before the public thought, Christian Science teaches one to seek his high tower and stand watch by knowing that there is not a single destructive element in God's creation and that God does not afflict His children.

Elihu declared to Job concerning the Almighty (Job 37:23), "He is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict."

What a glorious feeling of release it gives one to realize that sickness and sin are but illusions! It is more important for one's own good and growth in grace that he instantly and thoroughly erase from thought any claim to power that error presents. One cannot afford to accept the power of evil in any form, in any place, in ourselves, or in anyone else, no matter how remote that place or that one appears to be.

When error is presented to us, it becomes our duty to deprive it in our thinking of all power, all substance, and all law, and we do this by maintaining that God, Spirit, is the only power, the only substance, the source of all law. Mrs. Eddy counsels us (Science and Health, p. 495): "When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, ding steadfastly to God and His idea. Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought."

What is our answer when we are confronted with the news that one country is about to attack another? Is it not that in God's universe there is abundant provision for all? We know that nothing can dispossess man of his God-given heritage of freedom. His place is established by God, and he is governed by God.

The Preacher declared in Ecclesiastes (7:29), "Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions." Mortal mind is constantly inventing illusions that would turn men from their conscious awareness of God's presence and power and of their ability to avail themselves of this power.

Christ Jesus was confronted with much sin, suffering, disease, and lack. His answer to those who sought him was instantaneous healing, and it should be our answer. At one time he was asked which was the great commandment, and he answered (Matt. 22:37-39): "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment." And he added, "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

As we abide by these commandments, we shall always be safe in our tower and have the right answer to an problem. Loving God with all the heart, the soul, and the mind, we become more and more conscious of the true creation and of man's real being. Loving our neighbor as ourselves will help us to see more clearly the qualities of God in others and will develop more fully these qualities in ourselves. Thus shall we follow in the way Jesus, the Way-shower, taught. Beholding always the perfect man instead of the human concept, we shall be quick to refute the testimony of material sense, whether it is in regard to the body, the church, or the world.

There is no influence or force that can oppose the power of a right idea. Right ideas held to firmly and confidently by individuals who stand porter and wait for the answer that God would have them give can and will have an elevating and purifying influence on world thought. They will have a share in bringing to pass the peace on earth and good will among men promised when Christ Jesus was born. This right thinking is the only practical answer to all the problems of the world.

In "Miscellaneous Writings," Mrs. Eddy asks a searching question and demands an answer from every one of us (p. 177): "Will you give yourselves wholly and irrevocably to the great work of establishing the truth, the gospel, and the Science which are necessary to the salvation of the world from error, sin disease, and death? Answer at once and practically, and answer aright!"