However keenly the human affections yearn to for- give a mistake, and pass a friend over it smoothly, one’s sympathy can neither atone for error, advance individual growth, nor change this immutable decree of Love: “Keep [15] My commandments.” The guerdon of meritorious faith or trustworthiness rests on being willing to work alone with God and for Him,—willing to suffer patiently for error until all error is destroyed and His rod and His staff comfort you. [20] Self-ignorance, self-will, self-righteousness, lust, covet- ousness, envy, revenge, are foes to grace, peace, and progress; they must be met manfully and overcome, or they will uproot all happiness. Be of good cheer; the warfare with one’s self is grand; it gives one plenty [25] of employment, and the divine Principle worketh with you,—and obedience crowns persistent effort with everlasting victory. Every attempt of evil to harm good is futile, and ends in the fiery punishment of the evil-doer. [30] Jesus said, “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, [Page 119.] this defileth a man.” If malicious suggestions whisper [1] evil through the mind’s tympanum, this were no apology for acting evilly. We are responsible for our thoughts and acts; and instead of aiding other people’s devices by obeying them,—and then whining over misfortune,— [5] rise and overthrow both. If a criminal coax the unwary man to commit a crime, our laws punish the dupe as ac- cessory to the fact. Each individual is responsible for himself. Evil is impotent to turn the righteous man from his [10] uprightness. The nature of the individual, more stub- born than the circumstance, will always be found argu- ing for itself,—its habits, tastes, and indulgences. This material nature strives to tip the beam against the spir- itual nature; for the flesh strives against Spirit,—against [15] whatever or whoever opposes evil,—and weighs mightily in the scale against man’s high destiny. This conclusion is not an argument either for pessimism or for optimism, but is a plea for free moral agency,—full exemption from all necessity to obey a power that should be and is [20] found powerless in Christian Science. Insubordination to the law of Love even in the least, or strict obedience thereto, tests and discriminates be- tween the real and the unreal Scientist. Justice, a prominent statute in the divine law, demands of all [25] trespassers upon the sparse individual rights which one justly reserves to one’s self,—Would you consent that others should tear up your landmarks, manipulate your students, nullify or reverse your rules, countermand your orders, steal your possessions, and escape the [30] penalty therefor? No! “Therefore all things what- soever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even [Page 120.]