On Being Watchful

                                                 By John Robert Howell




        "The only incentive of a mistaken sense is malicious animal magnetism, -- the name of all evil, -- and this must be understood."  First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany (357:8-10)

Incentive:  "That which kindles or inflames;...That which moves the mind or operates on the passions; that which incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action; that which prompts to good or ill; motive; spur"  (Student's Reference Dictionary)

        I offer no apology for blogging on this subject, for I am more convinced than ever that Christian Scientists ignore it at their peril.  However, one's apathy toward the subject could be an indication of the secret and invisible influence of this malicious opiate. If you are a loyal, pure, sincere, and diligent student of Christian Science who is unreservedly loyal to Christ Jesus, Mary Baker Eddy, and the Church Manual this malignant evil wants you out of the way, as in, not to put too blunt a point on it, dead, or at least mentally dead.  If one is not most watchful and wise he could very well find  himself serving unconsciously an error which he wouldn't dream of serving consciously.  Color me barmy if you wish, but post a double watch just in case.

        There is a sentence relevant to this ongoing monologue in Miscellany which is so short -- and pungent -- that it can easily be overlooked in a distracted blink of an eye.  "That error is most forcible which is least distinct to conscience."  (197:2-4)  These are excerpts from the (SRD) definition of two words that show something of the depth and importance of that simple statement:

Forcible:  "Powerful; strong; mighty, violent, efficacious; active...acting with force; impressive."

Conscience:  "Internal or self-knowledge or judgment of right and wrong; or the faculty, power, or principle within us, which decides on the lawfulness or unlawfulness of our actions and affections, and instantly approves or condemns them...Conscience is called by some writers, the 'moral sense'..."

        It has been said that every tub must stand on its own bottom, but if the corrosive effects of stealthy, insinuating, aggressive mental suggestion has eaten it out one's present condition could be far dicier than he supposes.

        Summing up, as our beloved Christ Jesus puts it:  "What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."                                                                   (Mark 13:37)