Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1917-01-02
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE A SURE
DEFENSE

We all know that when suit Is
brought by one man against another
that the defendant usually appears in
cokrt to defend himself. If the de-
fenRant by reason of his ignorance of
this tight fails to appear or because Of
his negligence fails to put in de-
Tense, The plaintiff, even though his
claims are false, may secure a jJdg-
ment against the defendant by de-
fault, the same as though the claims
were proven true. ..
Let us suppose that A. sues B. The
claims that he makes against B. are
false. B. should appear, produce the
true facts, so exposing the falsity Of
AIS claim, which would then be cast
ont Of court as worthless and B. would
be in no danger. The truth has saved
him. But suppose B. through ignor-
ance of his rights, or fear Of A. or be-
cause he is negligent, fails to defend
himself. Judgment is given against
him and he suffers from the false
claims the same as though they were
true. His own folly has punished him.
Mortals are in much the same posi-
tion as B., the man who is being sued.
Claims are being made against them.
against their life, happiness and
health. Evil is the plaintiff and has a
host of false witnesses. 1t is of in
terest to note that evil is defined in
the original text of the Bible as ac-
cuser. The claims are totally false,
and all that man needs to do is to
assert his rights, know and declare
the truth, that evil never has had,
has not now, and never can have any
legitimate claim on man or his being;
that man is of God, is subject only
to His laws, and has a God-given
right to life, to health and to hap
piness. When man understands his
divine rights he cannot be made the
victim of evil, sin or disease.
If, however, mortal man has not
learned of his rights to immunity
from evil and sickness, or is afraid of
these claims and puts in no defense,
or if knowing his rights he neglects
to defend himself, in any of these
cases Judgment is taken against him
as though the claims were true, since
nothing is done to expose their fal'
sity. My friends, we have been al.
lowing unjust judgment to be taken
against us. We have not been de-
Tending our rights to life, health and
happiness, sometimes because of negli-
gence, more often because of ignor-
ance. Christian Science shows us how
to make our defense, expose the fal,
sity of evils claims and preserve the
integrity of our well-being.
HOW TO GAIN AN UNDERSTAND
ING OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
The question is often asked, What
is necessary for one to acquire tina.
understanding of God and man which
displaces the false concepts Of ma
teriality with the truth of spiritual
being, heals the sick, and enables one
to solve life's problem? Earnest study
of the truth as set forth in the Bible
and Science and Health, and its CON
slant application in dpily life, is es-
sential. 1t is also necessary in APP
preaching this question to remember
that God and not man governs the
universe. 1t is Gods will and not
the personal will of mortal man that
must control. Not infrequently peo-
pie come to Christian Science for
help with the desire to have God work
in their way. They wish to tell God
what to do and perhaps offer little
advice on the best way for Him to do
it. Such a state of mind never gets
near to God, for it has failed to rec
ognize that man whole being is the
expression of God and is eternally
subject to His will, which governs
the universe for the benefit and hap
piness of all.
Self-surrender, surrender Of the
mortal sense of selfhood, is necessary
TO know God. Mortal man must be
willing to let Gods will be done
whether or not it comedies with his
personal preference. Many business
deals ought never to work out the
way men would have them and Chris
tian Science will never help through
a dishonest business deal or give the
slightest assistance to any evil pur-
pose. 1t is the operation Of God s
will alone. God dwelleth with him
that is of an humble and contrite
spirit. Friends. it requires true cour-
age TO be humble.
1t should further be borne in mind
that God eschews all evii, that he
does not tolerate selfshness, self-will,
dishonesty or sin in any form. He
who seeks to understand God must
do so with this fact in mind and be
willing to surrender the mortal sense
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