Article September 4, 1971 Issue

Masters of Our Environment

JOHN A. THOMASSON

While serving in the Army, I had graphic proof of the mastery of our environment that each of us can demonstrate for himself. I was in an infantry outfit, and before we went overseas and into combat, we were often confined to our barracks after duty hours on various alerts. Under these conditions there was no place to read the Bible Lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly other than on my bunk.

A place less conducive to study of the lesson could hardly be imagined. Brawling and roughhousing were frequent. Loud, vulgar language almost constantly filled the air, and gambling and drinking, though officially prohibited, were not uncommon.

At first it was rather difficult, in these surroundings, to study the books and get much from them. But I persisted, mentally claiming my right to have daily spiritual nourishment without interference. Gradually an increasing number of the men in my barracks took note of what I was doing and respected it. The barracks became more and more quiet. Things even came to the point that if some loud, vulgar talk began or some brawling started while I was studying my books, other men in the barracks would see that these disturbances were stopped. The atmosphere of the barracks at these times was remarkably comparable to the beautiful peace and quiet one experiences in a Christian Science Reading Room.

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