Editorial February 10, 1912 Issue

WAR AND PEACE

John B. Willis

Though named in prophecy "The Prince of Peace," and thus heralded at his birth by angelic choirs, Christ Jesus frankly declared that he came "not to send peace, but a sword;" and with his own trial and crucifixion there was inaugurated a world-strife which has left its record upon every page of history, and which today is seething to a tidal crest whose threatenings can but seem alarming to the timid and tired of heart. Moreover, what was true of Christ Jesus has been true of all who have maintained the Master's spirit of loyalty to truths which were opposed to educated opinions and vested interests. Thus the stand taken by Socrates and Savonarola and many another outspoken reformer has invariably precipitated a bitter and ofttimes cruel resistance to a redemptive idea.

It is thus seen that the mortal stir and show of malicious opposition which has been awakened by Mrs. Eddy's virile restatement of the Christ-teaching is but a part and parcel of the phenomena which have always attended the rebuke of materiality by spiritual sense. Indeed, it witnesses in a way that should rejoice all aspiring hearts, to the vital worth and efficacy of this statement; it speaks for the presence of that divine truth which in uncovering false belief seems to smite it into writhing antagonism. If Christian Science had not been at variance with prevailing convictions, as all corrective ideas must necessarily be; if it had not brought to light the inherent error and ill effects of long-honored teaching, it would have engendered no turmoil, and it would have accomplished no good. It would have proved inutile as well as inoffensive.

This fact, that the championship of an advanced ideal always precipitates contention in the realm of mortal mesmerism, makes it clear that the peace prophetically associated with the Christ-coming is something quite diffeient from the mere absence of material conflict or the passivity of unprogressive contentment. The true Christian is enlisted for a tremendous fight, and Jesus frankly told his disciples that they would be subject to untold trials and tribulations; nevertheless, he said to them: "My peace I leave with you." This is not the peace which mortal sense longs for, it is not unmolested opportunity for the satisfaction of material desire, it is rather the unshaken confidence, the undisturbable repose of him who knows that he has found the truth and is demonstrably attaining to at-one-ment therewith.

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