Nothing is plainer, to those who have eyes to see, than that Christianity is on its defense in the world today. It is true that its teachings have been combated by many throughout the ages, but probably never before have they been so ruthlessly spurned as at the present time. In certain parts of the world the Christian religion is openly derided, its churches desecrated, its followers persecuted. Atheism is being advocated, and its doctrines have taken hold of the thought of multitudes, with all that means of the loss of many of those spiritual graces which are the very salt of individual and national life.
Moreover, the gospel message is regarded by many with contempt, as being childish, inane, unworthy the homage of thinking men and women, and an attempt is being made to substitute for it ideologies which would put the state before God and His Christ, and enthrone material might as supreme. Yes, Christianity is on its defense today. "And by that is meant that the great spiritual truths which it teaches must be defended. But there need not be the slightest doubt that Christianity will resist all attempts to destroy it, that the permanence of its doctrines is assured; and it is just as certain that every trace of superstition, wherever found, will perish because it lacks the sanction of Truth itself.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, foresaw the battle which Christianity must of necessity wage with error. As from her heart came the burning words (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 120), "Beloved students, loyal laborers are ye that have wrought valiantly, and achieved great guerdons in the vineyard of our Lord; but a mighty victory is yet to be won, a great freedom for the race; and Christian success is under arms,— with armor on, not laid down." Never were truer words penned than these. Great victories over self have been achieved—great victories over selfishness and sin; but the spiritual freedom of the human race has not yet been won, and until it is "Christian success is under arms." There can be no laying off of the armor of Spirit, Truth, no ceasing to demonstrate the healing and regenerating power of spiritual truth, until mankind is completely freed from animality, materiality, sin; until complete spiritual victory has been gained over sense and self.
