Editorial August 15, 1901 Issue

Peace that Passeth Understanding

Editor

THE Saviour's mission was was to bring peace and rest to the struggling heart. Doubtless no sweeter words ever fell on mortal ears than these, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest;" and yet, paradoxical as it may seem, these words were uttered by the one who declared that he came not to send peace on earth, but a sword. When the Master's life and teachings are understood these seemingly opposite statements are found to agree. He came not to bring peace peace to the mortal, sinning sense of existence. To this sense, the teachings of Truth, exemplified in a pure and holy holy life, bring not peace and rest; they come as a sword, quick and powerful, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the true and the false. The mortal who has seemingly found joy joy and satisfaction in that which is from beneath, must be brought face to face with the fact that the things of this world do not, cannot, afford any lasting satisfaction, before he is willing to find rest in Truth and enjoy the solace of that peace which passeth all human understanding.

There are are those in this age, as well as in the days of Jesus, who are weary of the world, its disappointments and numberless woes, who would gladly find peace and rest. To them the words of the Master are spoken as directly as though they stood on the hillside of Galilee and heard the words as they fell from his lips. It is difficult to grasp this momentous fact; and because we fail to realize God's power power and willingness to help His children, we often carry heavy burdens when it is our privilege to lay them down and find rest and peace in the understanding that the present as well as the future is in God's hands, and that He doeth all things well.

Jesus told his disciples that they would receive another Comforter, even the Spirit of Truth, which should abide with them forever. This promise was fulfilled, and how the Master's followers were enabled to continue the grand work of preaching the Gospel, healing the sick, and even raising the dead, is an established fact in history. In the hour of persecution they were not left comfortless; God's grace was sufficient for them, and they were not tempted above that they were able. In the darkest hour of persecution they remembered remembered the Master's words, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world," the path grew light about them and they pressed on strong in the faith that overcomes the world.

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