LIKELY MOST EVERYONE will agree that disease is abnormal and not the natural condition of the body. And most people will also agree that disease can be prevented, though we may differ widely as to the methods of prevention.
Those who rely exclusively on prayer as taught in Christian Science to prevent the development of disease in the body know that they have to be alert to what they allow into consciousness. They realize that disease or any inharmony often comes as a mental suggestion. And that a suggestion does not require overt argument to gain admission but often easily slips into thought and gets accepted unnoticed. Suggestions concerning our physical welfare are constantly pouring into thought. Some of these are deliberately sent forth to interfere with the saving and healing mission of Christian Science. Others are conclusions drawn from medical theories and practices, or just plain superstition. Regardless of their source, such suggestions await an unwitting acceptance.
It takes mental alertness to not be influenced by these suggestions. Many have found it helpful to follow an instruction in the Manual of The Mother Church (p. 42). The By-Law reads in part, "It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion ..." and goes on to point out that such suggestions can make us forget or neglect to do the good works that Christian Science enables us to do for others.
