Article March 19, 1966 Issue

A High School Student Writes

Resisting Temptation

ROBERT SCHEER

Today many young people are exposed to the temptations to smoke and drink. The young person who submits to these temptations often believes that they will give him pleasure directly or will enhance his social status. But the Christian Scientist has the ability to destroy this false sense of pleasure.

Does alcohol or tobacco have the power to give one pleasure? Neither has any more power than a rock or a tree. The false beliefs that some individuals entertain about the seeming power of matter are the deceptive products of mortal mind, error. After referring to the effect of thought on the body, Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 398), "In like manner destroy the illusion of pleasure in intoxication, and the desire for strong drink is gone." She adds, "Appetite and disease reside in mortal mind, not in matter.

Christ Jesus told his followers (Matt. 6:24): "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Animal magnetism tries to draw the individual toward the belief of material potency and away from the one omnipotent Principle. Mortal mind claims all power for itself. It says to the person: "Look at all I can do for you. I can give you pleasure. I have the power to make you believe you have social status by smoking and drinking." Error tries to make false gods of tobacco and alcohol.

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