Article July 16, 1910 Issue

PEACE IN ACTION

W. D. MC CRACKAN, M.A.

Christian Science promises peace and brings this promise to pass, but not in the way imagined by the world or the carnal mind. "My peace I give unto you," said Jesus; but he added, "Not as the world giveth, give I unto you." Not idleness, not the dolce far niente, the do-nothing of languorous ease, but peace in action, the satisfaction proceeding from spiritual activity, the calm of work well done—and being done.

The world of nature is full of pictures of peaceful activity, which poet, painter, and musician have joyfully seized for reproduction. The interior of a great forest, wherein every tree is growing in trunk and branch and leaf; the grassy uplands, where myriad flowers brighten the verdure with their colors; a populated island resting on the horizon, or a vessel sailing over the broad expanse of the ocean; even so humble a sight as the smoke rising straight from the chimney of a cottage,—such pictures symbolize peace in action. Through figure and form the sculptor has expressed the ideal of well-balanced peace and power.

It is not, however, until Christian Science explains true action as mental and spiritual that the full value of peace can be ascertained. Mrs. Eddy, in an article entitled "Love your Enemies" in "Miscellaneous Writings," utters a note of warning against "treacherous peace" as proceeding from a false sense of friendship. On the other hand, in Science and Health, she describes the true peace when she writes, "The highest and sweetest rest, even from a human standpoint, is in holy work" (p. 519). It would seem, therefore, that the enjoyment of spiritual rest and peace is conditional upon action; indeed, humanly speaking, peace involves the overcoming of obstacles.

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