Editorial January 19, 1918 Issue

Pacifism Analyzed

William D. McCrackan

A false peace is to the nations like a falling star to a traveler seeking a guiding light. The real pacification of the world can only be accomplished by following the true star of divine Science, the light of the world which points to Principle. Pacifism may be defined as fear of war. It may argue that war is savage, the pastime of the bloodthirsty, and by advocating peace may pose as being above war and the custodian of high ideals. Yet this state of mind does not heal the world's woes, but rather makes a covering for the perpetration of further crimes upon humanity by ruthless exploiters of the weak.

Pacifism seeks ease, but finds dis-ease; dreads to hurt, but by inaction produces a worse hurt. Under the pretense of maintaining the brotherhood of man it keeps the door open for the unscrupulous to incite fratricidal wars. Proselyting pacifism, quite unexpectedly to its own believers, breaks the way for the propaganda of hate to insinuate itself unobserved among the innocent. The pacifist with the desire of being a peace-maker practically becomes a peace-breaker. On page 233 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," Mrs. Eddy writes: "The Scriptures say, 'They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace' (Jeremiah 6:14), thus taking the name of God in vain. Ignorance of self is the most stubborn belief to overcome, for apathy, dishonesty, sin, follow in its train."

An outward peace may mask a mental volcano. The habit of smoothing over difficulties instead of correcting errors leaves a smoldering fire to smudge up the atmosphere and thus darken the whole situation. Better the flashes of fire which refine and eventually make for perfect peace than the unconfessed and hidden hate and grievance which poison the system. God requires us to work for the world, to battle for the freedom of the universal brother, not to sit at ease and look on with indifference at the slaughter of defenseless women and children. Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." The sword of Spirit is two-edged,—when it goes forward it destroys conspicuous error, and in returning clears away any subtle, lurking error. The swing of the two-edged sword cuts both ways. The sword of demonstration is mightier than the pen which writes down mere doctrine, but the pen that is used powerfully to waken consciousness out of its selfish stupor is an instrument of God. Then the pen and the sword become one in purpose and power.

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