IN ancient days gates were of much importance to the safety and welfare of the people. Many eastern cities were surrounded with walls, and were entered by means of strong gates. Jerusalem had many, each of which had a name. As a means of protection and defense against the inroads of an enemy, these gates were kept closed in time of war, and watchmen were placed there as guards for defense. A city was considered captured when its walls were taken.
David said, "Lift up your heads, O ye gates;" also, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving." Here, then, metaphysically, the word "gate" means entrance to thought. And herein lies its significance to those who, through the teaching of Christian Science, have learned the necessity of safeguarding thought.
No subject is of greater interest to students of Christian Science than that of spiritual thinking; it is fundamental. It is the knowledge of true or God-given thoughts and the ability to reflect them that is our redeemer from the ills of the flesh or material sense. The Christian Scientist knows that the sicknesses, sins, and disasters of mortal experience are but the externalized thoughts of so-called mortal mind,—never the result of correct, scientific thinking; and that if health is to be gained or harmony demonstrated in any line of endeavor, one must abide in true thinking. Hence the gates must be watched and kept closed to all evil if thought is to be properly controlled; for whatever enters thought will apparently have outward expression in what we call the body or an environment.
