With that willingness to learn which characterizes all seekers after truth, Christian Scientists are glad to acknowledge that whatever their Leader regarded as important should be practised by her followers. They count it a privilege to heed every caution and injunction which she has uttered for the protection and progress of the cause of Christian Science and of every individual who has regularly enlisted under its banner of freedom for the overcoming of sin, disease, and death. Mrs. Eddy was fully aware of the great good which had come to all humanity in Christian Science. She well knew also the counterfeit nature and purpose of evil, and has thoroughly directed the attention of all her followers to the need of unceasing watchfulness. Christian Scientists are therefore without excuse if they do not constantly increase in the understanding of the omnipotence of the divine purpose and the utter powerlessness of its supposititious opposite.
Students of Christian Science obtain an understanding of this true purpose when they acknowledge "the power of God; who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," to quote Paul's words to Timothy. This, as Paul also points out in his epistle to the Ephesians, shall be known by the church "according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." There is therefore abundant consolation and support in knowing that God's purpose for the world is being directed by the power and wisdom of God, and that no intention contrary to His purpose can succeed.
A mistaken sense of the power and purpose of God can only appear to human consciousness as a temptation, a false claim, and is never to be considered as anything more. It is a falsity to be overcome by a right apprehension of its nature and powerlessness. Let us then uncover mistaken views of Christian Science, and all erratic opinions respecting the privileges and duties of members of the church which is its mouthpiece, and do this from the standpoint of our Leader. She declares that "the only incentive of a mistaken sense is malicious animal magnetism,—the name of all evil,—and this must be understood" (Miscellany, p. 357),
