One definition of "compulsion" is "an irresistible impulse to perform an irrational act."  ^{Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary;} Immoral and criminal acts can probably be more frequently classified under this definition than as deliberate, premeditated control. One hears a great deal at present about emotional conflicts, especially in the minds of young people who are confused about values in today's world and who become victims of irrational, compulsive action.

Dr. Dana L. Farnsworth of the Harvard University Health Services, an expert on the subject, speaks of a "lack of impulse control" in many young people today, and he says, "More youngsters are giving vent to their feelings without thought of the consequence." He continues, "It's act now and think later."

Everyone acts under some kind of impulse control. Every thought, every act, begins somewhere. Does impulse start in the fragile brain of a mortal or in a higher Being, a governing Principle greater than the self? Christian Science insists and proves that there is but one real center of control, and it isn't a brain. It is God, divine Mind. And Mind is both intelligence and wisdom. No sultry mood, no malicious instinct, comes from the one real center of right control. When Mind's control is demonstrated—and any fact can be demonstrated—human action is independent of the wild, compulsive action of the carnal, or mortal, mind that seeks to control mankind.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy says: "Mind's control over the universe, including man, is no longer an open question, but is demonstrable Science. Jesus illustrated the divine Principle and the power of immortal Mind by healing sickness and sin and destroying the foundations of death."  ^{Science and Health, p. 171;}

The alcoholic is classified as a compulsive drinker, and his uncontrolled desire for liquor is now generally considered a disease rather than moral weakness. But is it? Self-discipline is a moral capability, and its implementation has often brought about an inebriate's complete healing. However, such self-discipline sometimes seems impossible to attain, even by the repentant alcoholic who desires to stop drinking.

Christian Science supplies the power needed to prove God's control of thought impulses; and no human therapy, psychological or medical, can compare with divine power. This scientific religion acknowledges the oneness and allness of divine Mind, and in the measure that the so-called compulsive drinker understands these great facts, he blots out the mortal mind that seems to be his own self; and he is freed from wrong impulsions of thought. He no longer ascribes to them a source.

The person carried away by sex and who believes himself incapable of controlling immoral impulses can find perfect relief through Christian Science. Of course, he must be desirous of help and willing to reform. Through Christian Science he can learn to identify himself correctly as the expression of Spirit and as completely controlled by Spirit. He must eagerly deny the existence of an evil mind and an unstable self.

Christ Jesus knew the perfect man, and he demonstrated true manhood when he healed sensuality and its effects. He understood the mental nature of sinful impulses and did not explain sin as disease. He said, "From within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders." ^{Mark 7:21;} He concluded, after naming other errors, "All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

The master Christian proved again and again that God governs creation through the laws, the unfailing forces, of purity and love. His healings demonstrated the unreality of lawless, compulsive action. He showed mankind how to find their God-created selves, which exist intact in God's kingdom.

In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mrs. Eddy says, "He who gains self-knowledge, self-control, and the kingdom of heaven within himself, within his own consciousness, is saved through Christ, Truth."' ^{My., p. 161;}

If aggressive suggestion contends that the victim of evil is too immature in his understanding of Science to put to practical use the truths he has learned, such suggestion can be routed by the honest insistence that man, God's image, exists in a state of perpetual spiritual maturity. Man knows himself as eternally God-governed. His sinless thoughts are based on his Principle, his source. Such facts understood demonstrate the maturity which protects a person from false compulsion. One who has reached this maturity need not fear that unpremeditated evil can control him.

Having a scientific sense of good that rests upon the truths of God and man, no one is in danger of acting evilly. Mrs. Eddy says, "Goodness involuntarily resists evil."  ^{p. 210.}

Goodness is understandable, Christly, attainable, because it is natural to man. It impels right actions, never actions that are sinful, uncontrollable, irrational. True compulsion can withstand the violence of this age and offset every temptation to which mankind are subjected.

Helen Wood Bauman