In the confusion of our daily experience lie concealed various phases of the evil spoken of in Revelation as "the great dragon," "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world." Sometimes in small, insignificant ways, often scarcely noted, evil lies in wait for its chance to darken our thought. Jesus was aware of this fact, and for that reason repeatedly and urgently warned his followers to be always on the watch. In the parable of the five wise and the five foolish virgins, he illustrated how necessary it is to tend our light through clear thinking and alertness, "for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." Therefore we should watch without ceasing, in order that we may grasp each opportunity to prove the omnipotence of good.

Here an earnest reader may say, True enough, but how am I to recognize a right opportunity? Mrs. Eddy, who understood our Master's teaching better than anyone else has ever done, writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 192), "Whatever holds human thought in line with unselfed love, receives directly the divine power." Thus we see that constant alertness and the exercise of unselfed love make it possible for us to recognize the right and opportune moment to do good, whereas self-interest, envy, and hate shut out this recognition. It is to cause neglect of our right opportunities that the serpent, evil, lies in wait.

Just what is this "old serpent," or the "red dragon," as John calls Satan or the devil? A careful study of these three terms, "devil," "red dragon," and "serpent," in the Glossary of the Christian Science textbook (pp. 584, 593, and 594), shows that in the definitions of all three terms Mrs. Eddy includes "animal magnetism." And in the definition of "serpent" we find mention of "the first lie of limitation."

Limitation and lack are not created by God; hence they are vain concepts, which might well be designated as bluffs. One's acceptance of laws of limitation and lack, his fear of them, and his submission to them open the door to temptation. Was it not lack of oil—lack of preparedness, unselfed love, and watchfulness—which caused the five foolish virgins to meet with closed doors, while the other five found prompt admittance? Unselfed love impelled the five wise virgins to have everything in readiness for the reception of the bridegroom. There was sufficient oil available, and one could buy it—pay the price for it—at any time. Therefore, the lack was not of supply but of alertness on the part of the five foolish virgins. The alert consciousness is the good soil in which the seed of Truth flourishes; but if we give in to apathy and stupor, we are furnishing the soil wherein Satan sows tares.

We must be on guard against accepting into our consciousness beliefs of limitation of any sort, whether in regard to supply, health, understanding, or strength, and must hold to the true concept of God's goodness and omnipotence. Unthinking remarks such as "I am tired," "I am sick," "I have not sufficient understanding," "I am lonely," "I am a failure," are not uttered by a true witness, however much material appearances would testify to such things. He who harbors such thoughts need not be surprised to find himself before closed doors, where promptness in refuting the claims of error would have gained for him admittance. God, infinite Love, knows no limitation. Hence, false thoughts must bear the rebuke, "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

God created all that is needed for man's supply and happiness, and He maintains it in unlimited measure; but mortals are often unheeding. They sleep in error, and in this way leave an opening in their thoughts for Satan or animal magnetism. Again, someone may say, All this is very fine in theory, but how is one to remedy this evil condition practically? In Christian Science Mrs. Eddy has given mankind a boundless treasure, a thorough remedy for every wrong condition. Through conscientious study of this absolute Science, and particularly through constant practice of what has been learned, one is awakened to the perception of true being and to the utilization of the God-sent opportunities at hand. Christian Science guides the awakening spiritual understanding from opportunity to opportunity, that we may utilize the ever-operative law of supply.

We are hearing everywhere of lack, want, and distress. Is not this our opportunity to declare the truth of God's boundless abundance, provision, and love, until the limited sense yields to the true? People complain about authorities, criticize governments and their fellow men, make charges against individuals in responsible positions, and puzzle over how to remedy evil conditions at the time of elections. On the other hand, the alert witness to Truth knows that God comprehends in Himself the entire creation, in which there is no room for injustice, tyranny, turmoil, or lack; and he applies what he understands.

Just as through unselfed love and right thinking we help a patient to gain the true sense of health, even so through right thinking in regard to world conditions we can help to bring to light the government of God. A Christian Scientist should never tire of continuous search in Mrs. Eddy's works for what she says regarding God, the spiritual universe, and man created in His likeness. He should never weary of utilizing these declarations in his daily experience.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," says our Master. Thus, when we come to elections, in church or state, we should first of all seek the kingdom of God, the government of divine Principle, supreme and ever present. Then we shall know that into God's kingdom there can enter nothing "that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie." This will enable us to assist in establishing the kingdom of God on earth. Who would allow such an opportunity to slip! Surely it involves far more than blind faith, or using "vain repetitions, as the heathen do." To grasp it requires deep, spiritual understanding of divine Principle, honest, persistent holding to the truth of being, and unselfed, universal love.