Article July 11, 1970 Issue

Lessons for the Recruit

DONALD M. SWINNEY

A recruit who begins training in the armed forces finds that there are many lessons to be learned in a relatively short period of time. It is the immense task of his instructors to give him extensive indoctrination in military discipline and procedure so that he will very soon be properly prepared to serve in a variety of military situations. He must learn to obey quickly and to work under pressure and harassment. He must also learn to make rapid adjustments, to conform to strict regimentation, and to endure rugged physical training.

Too often the recruit responds to these challenges with great anxiety and fear, assuming that this learning experience must inevitably be inharmonious and unpleasant. But even though this training is sometimes arduous, he need not suffer simply because it is his duty to be involved in it. Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health: "Constant toil, deprivations, exposures, and all untoward conditions, if without sin, can be experienced without suffering. Whatever it is your duty to do, you can do without harm to yourself."^{Science and Health, p. 385}

Christian Science teaches that man is a spiritual idea of God, Spirit. In Science, the real man is always harmonious because he is governed solely by God, divine Principle. No law of God demands that we must suffer. One who understands God's spiritual law experiences protection from discordant or harmful circumstances.

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