Article April 10, 1920 Issue

Preparedness

ALICE CARY VICTOR

There are two words which became very familiar to all during the period of the war,—words which we, as students of Christian Science, should understand in their deepest meaning,—propaganda and preparedness. This was brought to the writer's attention clearly a few days since by the remarks of a neighbor, who said in the course of a conversation, when speaking of a so-called contagious malady, "It is already here,—not in this town yet, perhaps, but in the state, and I hope people are preparing themselves to meet it." The expressed belief was immediately denied mentally by the hearer. Later, when alone, her thought reverted to the statement and she saw how this neighbor was spreading the propaganda of disease and death, and unwittingly preparing herself and her family to be possible victims of the prevailing fear. Then came the thought: What is a Christian Scientist's understanding of these two words? Propaganda is defined as "any method for the propagation of doctrines. . . ." Then audible speech is not the only means for disseminating the beliefs of the human mind; no, nor always the most seemingly potential, for a lie voiced can be denied and rejected, but the claim of mesmerism, when not understood as powerless, is a method of propaganda that numbers its victims by the thousand. Mrs. Eddy long since told us (Science and Health, p. 102), "The looms of crime, hidden in the dark recesses of mortal thought, are every hour weaving webs more complicated and subtle," and has not this statement of hers been proved over and over again through enemy psychology, enemy propaganda, hypnotism, mesmerism, and every silent, mental method of attack on all that stands for the liberty and well-being of mankind?

Were Christian Scientists prepared to meet these conditions? Yes; our workers went forth with their "feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace," secure in the knowledge of the omnipresence and omnipotence of divine Love which would "strengthen their hands in the work" literally, while lifting thought above the material, with such an understanding of Truth and Love that the sick and wounded were healed, the weak made strong, the fearful, bold, and the sorrowing comforted. Food, clothing, money, loving help of every material kind we freely gave, as did others the world over; but each gift of a Christian Scientist was accompanied by a prayer,—not merely a petition, but a silent declaration of the allness of God, good, of infinite Love, and of the brotherhood of man; for have we not all one Father-Mother, even God?

On page 559 of Science and Health, we are told, "The 'still, small voice' of scientific thought reaches over continent and ocean to the globe's remotest bound." This, then, is our answer to propaganda,—"the 'still, small voice' of scientific thought," going out to heal and bless; the divine, spiritual method.

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