Many an individual in these eventful days is living midst surroundings which offer a radically different environment from that to which he is accustomed. Particularly is this true with those in the armed services, where, of necessity, one is required to live in close and constant association with almost every type of human thought. One hears the frequent complaint that the influences of this association are irresistible. In fact, it is even argued by the irresolute that one wishing to advance himself in the services should lay aside his own individual ideas and ideals and adapt his thinking to that which generally surrounds him.
The beloved Leader of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, writes in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 113), "He who refuses to be influenced by any but the divine Mind, commits his way to God, and rises superior to suggestions from an evil source." The need for standing alertly on guard, in order to identify every thought that presents itself for acceptance, was never greater than at this moment. The onslaught of error from every quarter must be classified as an enemy and resisted if one is to be a demonstrator of Christian Science.
An outstanding example of the processes to be employed in the overcoming of evil environment is seen in the oft-referred-to and much-loved story of Daniel. When Daniel found himself thrust into the den of lions, into an atmosphere of savagery and destruction, he encountered what might be said to be as strong a claim of environment as one could imagine. Yet Daniel did not submit to the conditions he there encountered. Did he not turn his thought to God, to divine Mind, in order that he might receive light on the problem that faced him? Had he believed this environment to be such that he might be overcome by it, he would not have known victory. But was not his call upon infinite Mind to show him the way of release from the belief of what were to human sense terrifying surroundings, answered by an influx of spiritual ideas strengthening him in the realization that Truth and Love alone are the realities of being, and that their opposites, expressed in animality and hate, are errors of human thought, the outcome of spiritual ignorance? The conviction of Truth's allness destroyed the material evidence of animal ferocity and rendered the lions harmless, thereby silencing the lie of threatening danger. Thus Daniel was saved. It is related that in describing his deliverance to King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel declared, "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me." God's angel messengers or thoughts are always at hand, under all circumstances and conditions, to silence the lie of human ignorance. But it is the individual's task to turn his gaze toward the source of light in order to receive its rays.
In another age, Christ Jesus found it necessary to take a positive stand against the prevailing mortal concepts of his day in order to accomplish his healing mission and become the Way-shower for all mankind. It is interesting to observe his methods when recalling one of the miracles performed by him.
According to Bible record, when going to the bedside of the daughter of Jairus, whose friends were mourning her death, Jesus first ejected all those who doubted the power of God to restore her. According to the account of this healing as given in Mark's Gospel, he "put them all out." In the presence of those who were neither in opposition, nor skeptical of his power, he raised the girl to life and health.
All who have witnessed healing in Christian Science may not have understood that its teachings are demonstrated according to established rules. In pointing the way to the demonstration of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, however, designated her discovery as a scientific system. She says in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 547): "A simple statement of Christian Science, if demonstrated by healing, contains the proof of all here said of Christian Science. If one of the statements in this book is true, every one must be true, for not one departs from the stated system and rule." It follows that those who would demonstrate Christian Science must regard every statement she has made. They cannot quarrel with her system or with the rules she established for its practice.
The suggestion that the pressure and demands of his wartime associations are adequate reasons for a temporary lessening of his strict adherence to the rules of Christian Science, will not trick the Christian Scientist who recognizes in some measure the directive and protective power of divine Mind. He will stanchly declare his immunity to the influence of such thinking that would affect his equanimity or snare him into relinquishing his high standards and ideals.
The Christian Scientist understands that they who find gratification in the use of alcoholic beverages or tobacco can discover no support for their position in the statements of our Leader, who regarded these indulgences as enslaving evils that rob one of manhood and obscure discernment of Truth. He is alert also to avoid trafficking in the fears and frictions which claim so loudly to intrude upon the thought of those in the armed services, thereby assuring his freedom from their depressing and disastrous effects.
Like the early demonstrators of God's power, the Christian Scientist has learned that true values are to be found only in the realm of Spirit. He has learned the necessity of taking a firm stand against error in whatever form it presents itself, and of being steadfast and faithful in contending against the inharmonious and material thoughts claiming to surround him. He puts "them all out" of his consciousness and replaces them with the spiritual facts of Life. Thus he is not impelled to make humiliating concessions to the claims of human influence, because he understands that divine Mind, the source of all good, supplies all things needful, be they right companionship, recognition of and advancement for work well done, or freedom from fear and the disasters of war, and that these good things come to him not as a result of luck or chance, but as the result of the operation of divine law.
By adding to his store of spiritual truth, the Christian Scientist necessarily grows more immune to the claims of material environment. His greater acquaintance with spiritual facts becomes so inseparably a part of his consciousness that that which at one time might have seemed materially real and powerful holds no possibilities of deluding him. It becomes a natural thing for him instantly to reject the demands of material-mindedness.
As a worthy follower of the Christ, the Christian Scientist becomes a strong and steadfast scientific Christian thinker. In gratitude to his Leader for the great blessing of Christian Science, he strives to be a serviceman in the truest sense of the word. He recognizes the import of this hour in which Christian Science is presenting to a larger section of the world than ever before the true, and only way to peace on earth, and he lives so to exemplify the truths of this teaching that many shall come to believe its report. He remembers the words spoken by the angel to Daniel: "O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong."
