"And the dragon fought . . . and prevailed not"

EVELYN F. HEYWOOD

On page 211 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mary Baker Eddy writes, "Jesus stormed sin in its citadels and kept peace with God." Here we see how the angels Michael and Gabriel were continually at work in the pure consciousness of Jesus. The same perfect combination of spiritual strength and peace in the thought of humanity is required today. The individual cannot afford to do less than storm the citadels of sin; neither must he allow the violence and daring of sin to separate him from that inner peace which preserves him in the heat and onslaught of battle, from anger, resentment, or distress. In the serene consciousness of his unity with God he can go forth with no less assurance than did David to meet every Goliath of material boastfulness and seeming power.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee," declared the prophet. Faith in God which in the dark hour is faced by apparently insuperable odds, yet still remains faith, has seen beyond the moment's extremity to the certainty of the spiritual overcoming of all enemy offensives; to the calm conviction of Truth's inevitable triumph over all evil. To him whose mind is stayed on God, who refuses to acknowledge, whatever the temporary evidence and exultation of the forces of evil arrayed against him, that they can be victorious, there will be no tremor of doubt, no separation from peace. Against such the dragon, however fierce and formidable, does not prevail. On pages 566 and 567 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy we read: "Michael's characteristic is spiritual strength. He leads the hosts of heaven against the power of sin, Satan, and fights the holy wars."

The Christian Scientist knows that the conflict in which he is engaged, calling perhaps for greater strength, steadier faith than have ever yet been demanded of him, is not against persons or circumstances, but against the seeming forces of mortal mind, ruthless disturbers of the peace and harmony of mankind. He knows that he is not dealing merely with a conspiracy of modern ingenuity or invention, belonging to any particular peoples, but with that agelong insanity of unbridled human will always seeking fresh devices to accomplish its purpose, over which spiritual strength alone can, and infallibly does, prevail.

The citadels of sin must needs be stormed as Jesus stormed them, with indomitable courage, with unceasing vigilance, with superlative assurance. Spiritual knowing does not wait upon another's action, does not hesitate and prevaricate, does not seek to compromise; it is not hypnotized by the argument of superior material forces arrayed against it. He who is standing with divine Principle has reserves to draw upon of dauntless intelligence, valor, and strength. He is one with that Mind which leads the hosts of heaven and so prevails. Thus it is that at all times, whatever the confusion, the turmoil, the aggressive suggestion of evil, amidst the heat and clamor of battle, beset on many sides by the dragon and its angels, which would undermine, mesmerize, weaken, and scatter, the Christian Scientist maintains his peace with God. He knows that his source of faith, of courage, of good cheer is exhaustless, invulnerable; he knows that no experience in which he finds himself can bring despair, deflection, or defeat, but each experience must bring a greater, deeper conviction of Truth's unassailability.

In speaking of the dual offices of Michael and Gabriel, our Leader has written (Science and Health, p. 567) : "These angels deliver us from the depths. Truth and Love come nearer in the hour of woe, when strong faith or spiritual strength wrestles and prevails through the understanding of God."

The Christian Scientist knows, and proves with always increasing gratitude for the example of Christ Jesus and our beloved Leader, that his faith is armed with spiritual strength, because it is stayed on God, because it is upheld and enlightened by divine Principle. The hypnotic claim to power of the dragon and his angels, however terrifying it may appear in its destructive purpose, cannot frighten him; he knows that its pretensions are false, its boasted forces powerless, its battle already lost. From the spiritual sanctuary of Truth and Love, he looks out upon the world of mortal belief, steadfast in his understanding of God's allness, in his unconquerable trust that the vision which came to John and the assurance of the victory over the dragon and his angels, are his also. If there be yet some citadels to storm, if there be the call to even greater consecration, vigilance, and devotion than he has yet had to exercise, he knows that spiritual strength will be maintained; he knows that he will keep his peace with God. To him whose mind is stayed on God there can be no limit of fortitude to draw upon, no darkening of vision, no slackening of faith. For him only one thing can prevail: the eternal, ever-present continuity of that which manifests divine power.

EVELYN F. HEYWOOD

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