The "sword of the Spirit" is being wielded today by Christian Scientists in the war against the aggressive forces of evil. They are learning how successfully to combat and destroy, through a realization of God's allness and evil's nothingness, the barrage of aggressive suggestion by which the carnal mind attempts to lessen the usefulness of those who are endeavoring to uphold the standard of righteous government and peace among men.

Mary Baker Eddy, the revered Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, points out how to overcome these aggressive beliefs when she writes in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 387), "The history of Christianity furnishes sublime proofs of the supporting influence and protecting power bestowed on man by his heavenly Father, omnipotent Mind, who gives man faith and understanding whereby to defend himself, not only from temptation, but from bodily suffering."

Shortly after the outbreak of World War II a student of Christian Science was engaged in defense work. As the pressure of work increased, an unusually fast tempo was demanded of the employees in order to fill the requirements of wartime production. These new and intensified demands on workers resulted in confusion, overwork, fatigue, and depression.

In an attempt to solve this problem the student one day studied the seven synonyms for God, as found on page 465 of the textbook. She saw that Principle. Mind, Soul, Spirit, Life, Truth, Love, are reflected by man, God's image and likeness. Turning away from the evidence of the senses, she prayerfully pondered the infinite possibilities of being as embraced in these seven synonyms, and thereafter strove to express their qualities in her daily work. She joyfully realized that Mind, God rejoices in intelligent knowing and power; that He is continuously revealing Himself; that Spirit knows only its own true substance; that Soul is ever satisfied and inspired, giving peace, joy, radiance, and spiritual intuition to its idea, man; that Principle, the supreme cause and Lawgiver, is self-governed, and always controls man harmoniously. She rejoiced to perceive that Life is ever active, new fresh, abundant; that Truth is real, changeless, logical, and all-powerful; and finally, that Love is kind, understanding, and tender.

As this glorious enlightenment burst upon her vision, she realized that it is not man, the very expression of God, who says, "I am tired," but that it is merely the liar, mortal mind, talking about itself; that her consciousness was the expression of God: that mortal mind was not her mind, but merely an illusion. She perceived that the spiritual attributes of God which she reflected could not become fatigued, for it is mortal mind alone which tires; but since mortal mind is without true identity, and therefore unreal, there is in reality no mortal man to express fatigue and no fatigue to be expressed. As the student persisted in recognizing her identity as God's idea, the true concept of man stood out to her, clearer than ever before, as the intelligent, substantial, satisfied, joyous, changeless, perfect, active, powerful, and loving expression of God.

Writing in Science and Health (p. 470), Mrs. Eddy says, "Man is the expression of God's being." This statement by our Leader refutes the popular world belief that man is separated from God, to be reunited with his Maker at some problematical future time, because Christian Science reveals that God and man are one and inseparable as divine Principle and idea. The words "God's being" are significant in Mrs. Eddy's statement for they exclude the thought of separation. We do not think of God and being, but rather of God's being. Similarly, therefore, since man expresses God's being, we can rightfully say God's man, which gives us a clear concept of the oneness and all-inclusiveness of the divine relationship.

So, utilizing this intelligent concept of man and daily expressing more and more of the wonderful attributes of God, the student routed the depressing and mesmeric suggestions of mortal mind. This resulted in a proof of man's dominion over evil, as evidenced by better health, the ability to accomplish more than formerly, and a promotion in her work, which brought new challenges and opportunities for greater demonstration in Christian Science. She had proved the Biblical statement. "The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace."

Thus can the student of Christian Science, conscious of the spiritual substance and intelligence of real being, go forward, knowing that Mind directs him, Spirit feeds and clothes him, Soul inspires and satisfies him, Principle governs him. Life animates him, Truth supports him, and Love cherishes him.

The Christian Scientist knows that his real work is to be about his Father's business, no matter how humanly he may be engaged, and that there is no depression or weariness in the work of God. Because man reflects the activity of the divine Mind, he is in God's service, now and forever. Being in God's service implies that we must put first things first. We must consecratedly and devotedly dedicate ourselves to the advancement of the Church of Christ, Scientist, which will eventually cement humanity in a union of love.

In the words of Isaiah: "Thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." And in her Message for 1902 (p. 19) Mrs. Eddy says: "To the burdened and weary, Jesus saith: 'Come unto me.' O glorious hope! there remaineth a rest for the righteous, a rest in Christ, a peace in Love. The thought of it stills complaint; the heaving surf of life's troubled sea foams itself away, and underneath is a deep-settled calm."