Christian Scientists are assured by their Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 234, 235), that "evil thoughts, lusts, and malicious purposes cannot go forth, like wandering pollen, from one human mind to another, finding unsuspected lodgment, if virtue and truth build a strong defence."

How may one build "a strong defence" against "evil thoughts, lusts, and malicious purposes"?

God is Mind, and all true thinking is the expression of Mind. Evil thoughts, therefore, are not real, because they are not the product of infinite and eternal Mind. They have no place, power, influence, or activity. The real man is spiritual, perfect complete, whole, and harmonious. He cannot receive or harbor evil thoughts, for there is no place for them in man, the full and perfect expression of God, infinite Mind.

No claims of astrology, numerology, witchcraft, luck, or chance have any power, influence, or control over one's affairs if "virtue and truth build a strong defence." Even should events seem to happen according to some supposed horoscope, or any other so-called predictive system. this does not indicate that there is any reality in any such claim, but that human belief has given to certain recurring phenomena the title of law. To overcome these falsities one must know and declare that such superstitions are unreal and cannot produce either good or evil results, and that God's unerring and unchangeable law is the law of harmonious activity, progress, and success. Mrs. Eddy writes (ibid., p. 353), "We must not continue to admit the somethingness of superstition, but we must yield up all belief in it and be wise."

The only true day there is, is the unfoldment of good. Therefore no combination of days or dates has any power or influence over our affairs. "Friday the thirteenth" does not differ in any way from "Monday the twenty-seventh." However, when anyone, even in jest, calls attention to some human belief about certain days or dates being either lucky or unlucky, it is well for Christian Scientists to be alert, and mentally to deny any power or influence in such a belief, no matter how many persons may accept such a statement.

A strong defense needs to be set up against the assaults of so-called age or decrepitude, and all erroneous beliefs associated with it. particularly when evil suggestions are voiced by those who do not understand the pernicious influence of such statements. Man, being coexistent with his creator, God, has no age. Jesus said of the Christ which he manifested, "Before Abraham was, I am," clearly indicating his understanding of man's eternality. He also said, "I came forth from the Father," showing that he knew that spiritual life has no beginning. Every right idea is included in man, the compound idea of God. Therefore the right ideas of strength, activity, vigor, vitality, health, wholeness, perfection, and power are inherent in man, and are manifested by him. Knowing this, we should see that added years and experience bring continuous unfoldment of spiritual understanding, and increased ability to use it in overcoming the false beliefs with which mankind fetters itself.

A right sense of health is necessary to ward off the manifold claims of medicine and the insidious influence of the so-called health columns found in many newspapers. Material conditions, whether expressed as weather, climate, temperature, or altitude, have no power over the real man. On page 393 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes: "Mind is the master of the corporeal senses, and can conquer sickness, sin, and death. Exercise this God-given authority. Take possession of your body, and govern its feeling and action. Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good." The clear realization that one can "rise in the strength of Spirit," and that he can "exercise this God-given authority" in declaring the true facts of being, constitutes a strong defense against the false claims of mortal belief regarding health.

Thoughts which enter one's consciousness should be promptly challenged to determine their origin, character, and purpose. Thoughts that are not good are not from God, and should be promptly rejected and replaced with thoughts of health, wholeness, activity, vitality, and vigor. If sadness and sorrow seek acceptance, one should bring forth expressions of joy and gladness in their stead. If anger and hate impose themselves upon one's consciousness, then, indeed, one must build a strong defense with thoughts of love, forgiveness, kindness, and forbearance.

The temptation to indulge in liquor or tobacco comes "like wandering pollen" to many, including young people, and strong indeed must be the defense erected in their consciousness to ensure that they do not become its victims. One need not fear that he or she will be unpopular or be called a prude when one gently but firmly declines to drink intoxicating liquor or to smoke cigarettes. Mind, God, never created a false appetite; hence one need not be tempted by the allurements of questionable pleasures and activities. The law of God for His children is the law of joyous freedom, right activity, and perpetual harmony.

The good result of taking a decided stand for right is seen in the following incident. A young couple belonged to a group of married people who enjoyed an evening dinner together occasionally. At one of the parties the host for the evening offered his guests some liquor. The young couple quietly but firmly declined, and at the next meeting asked the chairman to secure another couple to take their place, as they did not wish to belong to a social group that served liquor. The other members then and there decided that liquor should not again be served at any of their social gatherings. Thus the strong defense which the young couple raised against such temptations awakened in others a desire for better living.

Purity and chastity are priceless heritages. It is far more manly or womanly to take a stand for clean living and thinking than it is to yield to the temptation to listen to or repeat questionable stories. One cannot afford to taint his consciousness with the impurity which this practice invites. Nor can he make much spiritual progress until such thoughts are ruled out. A strong defense against impure thinking is to know and to declare that the real man is spiritual and perfect, because he is the son of God; therefore he knows no false appetites, lusts, or evil passions. The perfect man knows only purity; he expresses holiness, freedom, constancy, and Godlikeness.

Thus as one endeavors, through the study and application of the Christ, Truth, as taught in Christian Science, to build a strong defense against evil, he can pray with the Psalmist: "Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from his cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved."

Copyright, 1937, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, One, Norway Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.