Editorial December 5, 1914 Issue

A Practical Christmas

Archibald McLellan

The way of the world has been to wage war upon persons and among nations, but the way of Christ is far different, and is pointed out by Mrs. Eddy on page 30 of Science and Health in these words : "Rabbi and priest taught the Mosaic law, which said: 'An eye for an eye,' and 'Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.' Not so did Jesus, the new executor for God, present the divine law of Love, which blesses even those that curse it."

If all mankind were to take home to themselves these sayings, and make them their guide in their intercourse with their fellows, the record of wars and murders, of "man's inhumanity to man," would soon become a thing of the past, and the brotherhood of man would more rapidly appear. Slowly perhaps, but surely, the practical demonstration of the teachings of Christian Science is ushering in a better feeling amoung men of all nations, and we may reasonably hope that when the present war is over, its very horrors will have served in some measure toward making wars impossible in the future. In the mean time, however, many helpless and innocent victims of the present strife are in distress, and practical charity is needed for their relief.

May we not as Christian Scientists welcome the opportunity to help these needy ones at this Christmas season, by observing this holiday as Mrs. Eddy has advised on page 262 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," not with "the merriment, mad ambition, rivalry, and ritual of our common Christmas," but "in quietude, humility, benevolence, charity"? So shall the season be to us and to them the dawning of "on earth peace, good will toward men."

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