False mentality, or error, designated in Christian Science as animal magnetism or hypnotism, must be clearly understood as a powerless nonentity. Otherwise one is likely to fear it, believe in it, and suffer the unreal consequences.
Animal magnetism is the opposite of God. It is humanity's foe — whatever obstructs our natural attraction to Spirit; whatever retards and pulls us earthward; whatever entraps and seduces, whatever flatters and beguiles; whatever seeks to turn our minds and hearts to discouragement and mortality's empty prospects; whatever equates man with matter. "Who is telling mankind of the foe in ambush?" Mrs. Eddy asks in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health. And she continues: "Is the informer one who sees the foe? If so, listen and be wise. Escape from evil, and designate those as unfaithful stewards who have seen the danger and yet have given no warning." Science and Health, p. 571;
Success in Christian Science practice involves an ability to nullify the methods and results of mental malpractice — "the foe in ambush." We need to expose it as evil, and Christian Science instructs us how to face this illusory power with Truth-born confidence and assurance of victory.
