It is sometimes difficult for students of Christian Science to decide which duties are of primal importance in the daily order of living. Does not the temptation come to many of us to be like Martha, whom Christ Jesus described as "careful and troubled about many things" (Luke 10:41)? The pressure of family or business responsibilities, social or church obligations, sometimes causes one to neglect to emulate Martha's sister, whom Jesus commended thus: "One thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part." Evidently, then, an important daily duty for each one of us is to gain through study and application a demonstrable understanding of the Christ, Truth. This effort may be likened to the "good part" which Mary chose.
In the Manual of The Mother Church Mary Baker Eddy states under "Alertness to Duty" (Art. VIII, Sect. 6): "It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind. By his works he shall be judged,—and justified or condemned."
From the wording of this positive Rule it is apparent that one of the student's first duties is to defend himself from aggressive mental suggestion, the most insidious and prevalent foe to spiritual stability. Our courageous Leader considered this duty so necessary, so significant, that she gave it a prominent place in the Manual and stated it in unequivocal language. No doubt she had learned from rugged experience just how essential it was to protect herself from the serpentine attacks of this mental invader. Are we as Christian Scientists always alert to the vital necessity of obeying this precept and defending ourselves? Are we defending our thinking by keeping it so filled with Truth and Love that aggressive suggestions of evil in all its forms are excluded? It is noteworthy to observe that in this Rule self-defense is to be a daily duty.
