It is just possible that this topic—teaching Sunday School pupils how to defend themselves against animal magnetism—may constitute one of the most important, if least obvious, of all elements in the Sunday School curriculum.
In our Lesson-Sermons— and indeed throughout the Bible—there are continual reminders of the need of a solid defense against animal magnetism, and we have Mrs. Eddy's requirement in Art. XX of the Manual of The Mother Church to teach our children the Scriptures. Also, after outlining the first lessons she writes, "The next lessons consist of such questions and answers as are adapted to a juvenile class, and may be found in the Christian Science Quarterly Lessons, read in Church services."
Further evidence of the importance of our subject lies in another provision of the Manual, Art. VIII, Sect. 6, "Alertness to Duty," which requires of every member of The Mother Church daily defense against aggressive mental suggestion. We may ourselves appreciate to the full the need of proving the unreality of animal magnetism —this silent, secret (also powerless) foe to spirituality. But are we unintentionally leaving our Sunday School pupils defenseless on this point? Having presented them with the sword of Truth, have we withheld the shield of defense against error?
