Editorial January 19, 1929 Issue

"The effect of righteousness"

Albert F. Gilmore

Certainty that Isaiah, the ancient seer, son of Amoz, was imbued with an extraordinary sense of God's presence, and of His guidance and support of all willing to be divinely led, breathes through the pages of the marvelous chapters of the Bible bearing his name. That he did, indeed, literally and moreover successfully, "practice the presence of God" is proved by the quality and outcome of the spiritual leadership which he exercised over the children of Israel during certain of their most troubled days. Isaiah's conviction that obedience to God promoted righteousness was sublime. Moreover, he saw that only through righteous living, the living which is the expression of a deep-seated desire to do God's will, could enduring peace be established. Hear his words: "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." Could promise be more heartening as to the outcome of obedience to divine command, to God's will?

What greater reward could mortals gain than "quietness and assurance for ever;" harmony which is never invaded by restlessness and strife; assurance that is conviction, into which enters no shadow of doubt, no trace of uncertainty! Surely, to abide in such a state of consciousness would be to dwell in heaven! In the efforts of men and nations to establish peace, too often it seems the Bible injunctions are overlooked. Resort is had to purely human ways of accomplishing this most desirable of all ends, the establishment of lasting peace throughout the earth. Expediency rather than divine law has been the policy commonly adopted, a fact which largely accounts for the failures in the past to attain the noble purpose, the union of mankind into a brotherhood described by the poet as "the Parliament of man, the Federation of the world."

Christian Scientists have a peculiar responsibility in the bringing about of permanent peace as the effect of righteousness, which the prophet so convincingly set forth. Why? Because to them has been revealed the true brotherhood and its profound significance. We can scarcely be adjudged faithful students and followers of our revered Leader, Mrs. Eddy, if we fail to lift our eyes beyond the immediate horizon to envisage the larger problem, the demonstration of world peace through establishing world righteousness. The problem is both individual and collective; that is to say, individual, because the healing of individual consciousness of all its enmities—of all that tends to separate mortals and set them at odds—is the only means whereby peace as the outcome of righteousness can be brought into realization; collective, because it deals with men in nations, with individuals in large groups, acting together to promote common ideals and thereby to advance the common good.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

"Sickness is a dream"