Who has not longed for an armor of protection from the evils of mortal existence, an armor so flawless that no fear or false belief can penetrate it?

The clarity of Mary Baker Eddy's teachings leaves one in no doubt as to the availability of such an armor. In perfect consonance with the lessons in Holy Writ she describes this armor, and spiritually illumines and reinforces the teachings of the Bible. She tells us how to put on the armor, and how to keep it bright and invincible. Also, she names the attacking foe and shows us how to meet its false claims to power.

In her Communion address to The Mother Church on June 4, 1899, Mrs. Eddy, referring to our armament, says (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 127): "Our is not costly as men count cost, but it is rich beyond price, staunch and indestructible on land or sea; it is not curtailed in peace, surrendered in conquest, nor laid down at the feet of progress through the hands of omnipotence. And why? Because it is 'on earth peace, good will toward men,'—a cover and a defence adapted to all men, all nations, all times, climes, and races." Peace and good will are indissolubly intertwined. We cannot have one without the other.

Peace is not acquiescence in erroneous conditions. Far from being characterized by stolidity or stagnation, it demands active spiritual thinking and diligent work. Peace means spiritual content; it has no element of self-satisfaction, for peace comes when the human sense of self is stilled. If possessed with spiritual content, one cannot be stirred to take part in personal strife; neither can one be racked by mental agitation or anxiety.

Peace is not a state of consciousness at which one can hope to arrive without definite labor. Peace comes through self-discipline, self-control, as one listens to spiritual intuition or spiritual sense. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." The word "peacemaker" certainly conveys the idea of constructive activity. When peace is enthroned in one's own heart, one will see more clearly how to help in establishing peace in one's home, in the community, in the nation, and in the world.

Out of his great love, and in tender farewell, Christ Jesus thus expressed himself: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid;" and again: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Is not the source of Jesus' peace to be found in his overcoming the arguments of the world of sense? A wide-awake activity in mastering evil's suggestions broadens one's vision to the point where one sees that peace is not fully established until each discordant argument is met fearlessly, and its false claims to power are destroyed. Shall we not strive ceaselessly to bring to pass the peace which angels foretold, and which Christ Jesus left to us as his priceless legacy?

Fundamental to peace are the qualities of meekness and humility. In her Message to The Mother Church for 1902 our revered Leader writes (p. 19), "Meekness is the armor of a Christian, his shield and his buckler." Meekness is not inherent in mortals; it is not found in the carnal mind. It is achieved as one's consciousness is emptied of self-will and self-glorification. One should understand what meekness is, and then hold it as precious, and cherish it in his thoughts with loving devotion.

The nobility and majesty of meekness need to be more generally understood and appreciated. Material sense would have us believe that meekness is hypocritical, cringing, and that one having it leads a spiritless kind of life. This is the very opposite of the truth. We know that material sense presents lies about every good attribute. Therefore, we should reverse its evil suggestions and recognize the divine royalty and power which go hand in hand with true meekness.

Moses, who gave us our moral code, the Ten Commandments, "was very meek." Christ Jesus, who taught the law of Love, attributed all power, glory, and goodness to God, claiming nothing of himself apart from God. And Mrs. Eddy, who gave us the spiritual interpretation of the teachings of Moses and of Christ Jesus, was known for her outstanding meekness.

Our Master with heavenly humility declared, "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things." Again, he affirmed, "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do." How clearly Jesus points out the way of meekness! Is it not in listening for God's voice and in reflecting the divine attributes? Unless this quality of meekness is developed in one's consciousness, one will be lacking in spiritual armament and will not be protected from evil.

When one is truly humble, selfish or self-seeking motives find no entrance to his thought. Unselfish love, which has for its purpose to bless all mankind, to bring happiness to all, is a constant shield. Paul's admonition to "put on the whole armour of God" is followed by a description of the armor needed, so that there shall be no vulnerable spot in one's character.

The arguments of self-pity, self-love, and self-will, if entertained, leave one open to wounds and woe. Jealousy, suspicion, and resentment are open doors for trouble. Not one of them should be indulged, lest it obscure the ability to reflect God's healing power. As we recognize the weak places in our armor we are able to correct them, and to prove the grand truth of our Leader's words (Miscellany, p. 210), "Good thoughts are an impervious armor; clad therewith you are completely shielded from the attacks of error of every sort."

In our mental armor we need reverence for God and for all pure and holy ideals of conduct, in order to counteract the atheistic and materialistic arguments which seem to be so blatantly in evidence today. On each new day, shall we not approach Christian Science with deeper gratitude for its divine revelation to this age? Let us consider what human existence would be to us without the Science of Christianity, and then remember the life of consecration, sacrifice, and service of our Leader that she might establish Christian Science healing on a sound basis, and so protect it that it should never again be lost to the world.

Only an enlightened faith that can give a reason for its steadfastness will unflinchingly meet the attacks of the carnal mind. Assured confidence in the ever-presence of divine Love, and in man's ability to reflect God's healing power, should permeate our thinking. This faith illumines the seeming darkness caused by conflicting mortal opinions, and gives a firm conviction of the power of spiritual truth to triumph over evil and to heal the sick. We need the faith that makes us faithful under all trials; then the quality of our faith will be proved by our works.

If evil seems to be present, the remedy is to turn quickly to our loving Father-Mother God with gratitude and thanksgiving for Love's sure deliverance. The seeming powers of darkness require only the light of the knowledge of God for their vanquishment. Thus equipped with faith, meekness, and peace, we shall be able to rise to the consciousness that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This is our everlasting defense, our imperishable armor.

Copyright, 1938, 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.