From time immemorial mankind by tradition, education, and experience has been encouraged to look for, and been led to expect, immediate and tangible results from its own efforts. In proportion as realization is long deferred in point of time, far removed in point of space, remotely related in point of contact, or becomes more and more impersonal in its nature, does one find it increasingly difficult to address one's self to the task. So accustomed are we to deal with persons rather than divine Principle, with things rather than thoughts, that when confronted by a task affecting the welfare of all mankind, we are likely either not to see our duty in regard to it or, catching a glimpse of its magnitude, cry out as did Moses, "Wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?"

Possibly never before in the history of the world has there been presented greater opportunity of demonstrating the power of individual right thinking than at the present time; and with the opportunity there has come to each individual Christian Scientist the corresponding responsibility. Just now, as never before, the cry of the whole world is for peace, not merely a peace based upon diplomacy and political expediency, but a true and permanent peace on earth, such as was heralded by the angels when the Prince of Peace was born.

Much of good, indeed, has been done and is being done by the noble and unselfish men and women of all nations; much has been undertaken and is being accomplished by high-minded statesmen, commissions, courts, and governments of this and other countries. The less fortunate of other countries are provided with food and clothing; and want and suffering are everywhere being relieved. The brotherhood of nations, still an ideal to be fully realized, is becoming more apparent as we get better acquainted with each other and see each other's point of view. Many matters of international dispute are being settled by arbitration; unnecessary war burdens in times of peace by common consent have been partially eliminated; and many other improved conditions encourage us to hope for still better things to come. But whatever credit we may, as nations or as individuals, take to ourselves for the wisdom and statesmanship which make these conditions possible, the fundamental fact remains that without the vitalizing spark of an unselfish love for all humanity, human endeavors are in and of themselves but "as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal," and can contribute but little to permanent world peace.

While appreciating the good to be found in material institutions, moral codes, and legislative enactments, our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, early saw that these were insufficient fully to reform mankind. In "The People's Idea of God" (p. 1) she says: "Every step of progress is a step more spiritual. The great element of reform is not born of human wisdom; it draws not its life from human organizations." She likewise saw the necessity that such reform should begin within the human consciousness. On page 254 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she says that "the human self must be evangelized;" and she continues, "This task God demands us to accept lovingly to-day, and to abandon so fast as practical the material, and to work out the spiritual which determines the outward and actual."

Reform is a constant correction of one's thought until one thinks only in terms of absolute Truth. In proportion, therefore, as we allow Truth to govern and control us shall we realize that, as Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 184), "Truth, Life, and Love are the only legitimate and eternal demands on man, and they are spiritual lawgivers, enforcing obedience through divine statutes. Controlled by the divine intelligence, man is harmonious and eternal."

It may not be ours to take a representative part in the affairs of our country, but we can know and realize that this divine intelligence, which we have applied to our individual problems, is likewise available for those in authority to whom the world is anxiously looking, and applicable to the larger affairs of our nation and of the whole world. Not only is divine intelligence available and applicable, but we may be assured that it is the only intelligence which is available and applicable, and that without it counsels, deliberations, and negotiations will come to naught. To all of this we as Christian Scientists will readily subscribe; but because of our seemingly small part in the sum total of right thinking, and because of the constant effort necessary to hold thought steadfastly to that which is true, we are too easily persuaded that our deflection can make no possible difference in the final outcome of a problem involving such great issues. This is a subtle and an erroneous argument.

Suppose, as an accountant in an office, one makes a simple mathematical mistake in adding a column of figures. If the error is not discovered and corrected at once, the footing is carried into the calculations of other columns, and we can readily imagine how far-reaching the trouble may be. Suppose ten others are likewise careless in thought and make similar mistakes. The effect multiplies in startling ratio, and confusion becomes worse confounded. The result of wrong or careless thinking concerning spiritual facts may not be so apparent, but it is none the less definite; and this we shall some day fully realize.

The importance of individual right thinking and of each one's holding persistently to the right concept of God, man, and the universe, and their relation to each other, is forcibly brought out in the story of the destruction of Sodom. We recall that the Lord promised to save the city if fifty righteous men could be found in it; but upon Abraham's plea, the number was reduced to forty-five, then to forty, then to thirty, then to twenty, until finally we read: "And he [Abraham] said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake." Then the narrative relates the destruction of the city with brimstone and fire; and the inference and the lesson can be drawn by the reader

Right thinking brings its own reward, and is reflected not only in individual experience, but also in the larger affairs of nations. If it were within the power of ten righteous men to save a city in the long ago, who shall say that the vastly greater number who are constantly and persistently, in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds, holding steadfastly to the truth of being, are not on the way to saving the whole world?