Editorial March 18, 1922 Issue

Approaching True Brotherhood

Albert F. Gilmore

When, as related in the gospel of Mark, Christ Jesus, appearing before the eleven disciples as they sat at meat, charged them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," it is reasonable to conclude that he contemplated the redemption of all mankind without respect to race or nationality; for the words "every creature" scarcely admit of discrimination against, or exclusion of, any race or group of people. And, manifestly, the gospel to be preached was the message of Truth, the redeemer of mankind.

In his letter to the inhabitants of Colosse, Paul likewise sets forthe the universality of the Christ, making it clear that God's perfect ideal is for the redemption of all mankind, of whatsoever race or nationality. To them he declared, "There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all." In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 467), Mrs. Eddy has carried this thought an important step farther, in equally impressive language: "It should be throroughly understood that all men have one Mind, one God and Father, one Life, Truth, and Love. Mankind will become perfect in proportion as this fact becomes apparent, war will cease and the true brotherhood of man will be established." Here not only is the fact of brotherhood stated, but the sure results of holding the right concept of God and man are clearly set forth.

As the Christian Scientist gains a larger spiritual vision, it gradually dawns upon him that true brotherhood must be established on the basis that all God's children are united in His sight; that all are perfect in Him. This understanding will remove the barriers which tend to separate men, individually and collectively. The sense of disunity arising from apparent differences of race, customs, language, education, industries, disappears as the truth of being is revealed, and man is beheld in his true being, in his rightful relation to the Father and to individual man. Even national boundaries, bristling with hindrances to the expression of unity, become less formidable as the spiritual facts appear. Tolstoi aptly pointed out that patriotism is far too limited in its common application. In its true meaning it signifies something vastly broader than loyalty to the ideals of a single country, however worthy, unless their ultimate aim be to demonstrate the brotherhood of man. Rightly considered, patriotism signifies nothing less than loyalty to infinite Principle, divine Love, and to the perfect ideas which constitute man's universal brotherhood.

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