It is held by not a few that the possession and exercise of human will-power is very desirable, constituting a mark of distinction for human character. But when we consider this attribute of mortality as being the motive power of all evil, the root of all sin, crime, and of manifold discords, we may well ask ourselves, Is human will entitled to any liberal evaluation? Observing how often this alleged power is easily perverted, in effect often producing the wreckage of home life, of health, of business success, of peace of mind, and even the weakening of nations, we ask again, Would it not be wiser for all to cultivate and use more of the animus of good will so extolled, in sentiment at least, during the recurrent holiday seasons? Without doubt, many would be glad indeed to desert the use of the limited personal or magnetic sense of will-power and to manifest the good will which is universal and unlimited, if they only knew how to do so.

It is recalled by all Christians that the great refrain of the heavenly host, the voice of which heralded the birth of Jesus on the first night of the present era, was, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." It is well known by all who have even lightly studies the Gospels in the New Testament that this marvelous refrain was afterward lived, and taught, and demonstrated by the Master. But is it sufficiently recognized by Christians that the Founder of Christianity intended that his followers should carry on the teachings of his gospel of peace and good will in the ways in which he himself taught and worked?

Surely, if seekers after peace in this day would recognize that the Christ which Jesus taught and demonstrated is the healing truth, that Truth is the only Saviour from all error, and that Jesus' followers can prove the saving power of this one Saviour in healing themselves and others of sickness and sin, such seekers would to-day increasingly prove the great efficacy of God's good will. Then, personal and national ill will would more rapidly disappear, and good will would have its rightful place in human consciousness.

Christian Science teaches the transformation of human will through Christ, Truth. In his epistle to the Romans, Paul said, "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." This volition was surely the good will which Christ Jesus taught and practiced. To-day, this same heavenly volition is taught in Christian Science, wherein Mary Baker Eddy, its Discoverer and Founder, repeatedly sets forth the difference between human will and divine volition, the wisdom of God. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she plainly states (p. 144): "Human will-power is not Science. Human will belongs to the so-called material senses, and its use is to be condemned. Willing the sick to recover is not the metaphysical practice of Christian Science, but is sheer animal magnetism." And a few lines farther on she adds, "Truth, and not corporeal will, is the divine power which says to disease, 'Peace, be still.' "

Then, in Christian Science, it must be seen that Christ, Truth, the true idea of God, good, manifests the true healing power or volition. This is the good volition that heals individuals, as it will eventually heal the nations, abolishing racial animosities, international differences, and all war, thus widely fulfilling the strain heard in Bethlehem on that starlit night of grace and glory, "On earth peace, good will toward men."

In Revelation is revealed what came to its writer as a pure river flowing "out of the throne of God," and with it "the tree of life," the leaves of which "were for the healing of the nations." Christian Science reveals the fact that this "tree of life" is typical of divine Principle, the sole creator of the spiritual universe and man, the creative Truth which is fully represented in Christ. Thus since Christ presents all the good will which exists, true concord between the nations can come only through a right understanding of this divine Principle and its Christ, always operating in good will, and for peace.

The healing of the nations of their errors of wrong thinking and misunderstanding will surely come as the individuals comprising the nations lay aside the ways of prejudice, pride, ill will, and material warfare, and utilize "the leaves of the tree," the vital manifestations of the divine Principle, Love, which always expresses its power in good will and wisdom. May it be seen and remembered that statements of glory, peace, and good will mingled in the strains of Bethlehem, and that peace and happiness are the sure results of joyful praise to God and the exercise of good will toward mankind!

The scope of Christian Science, therefore, is not only to heal individuals of their bodily and mental diseases and sins through universal good will, God's loving-kindness, but to establish right feelings and reciprocities between the nations of the world, so eliminating misunderstandings, rivalries, hatreds, and jealousies. Through the good will of Christian Science, Truth can say to these discords, "Peace, be still." This is being accomplished in some measure, to-day, through the many individuals who are recognizing wisdom to be the true good will, are being more and more transformed through Christ, Truth, and so are relinquishing mere personal will. Such are becoming agents of general progress, being willing to let their sense of volition be governed by Truth. They are finding that Christian Science helps them in this transformation; for, when one's sense of judgment and action is governed by Truth, the so-called human will becomes the servant of wisdom, and universal good is in some measure demonstrated. On this Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health (p. 206): "The power of the human will should be exercised only in subordination to Truth; else it will misguide the judgment and free the lower propensities. It is the province of spiritual sense to govern man."

Discovering how unreliable an unbridled personal human will can become, how undesirable and even dangerous a factor it can be in one's human course of life, the sincere student of Christian Science places his so-called will under the direction of Truth. Thus he can be rightly guided in his endeavor to achieve freedom and to aid his brethren to enjoy a larger measure of peace and good will. An honest heart illumined by this Science of Christianity can always sing, in the words of a hymn,

Through such willing transformation the student of this Science realizes the fulfillment of the prediction,

In this way of progress students see more and more that the universal good will of God is done; and holding in thought the fact that this will is supreme, Christian Scientists steadily purify their own false sense of will, or motive power, and not only help their near-by neighbors, but find themselves engaged in a practical work which also in its measure makes for peace and good will between all nations. In meekness and right desire, they see the present fruitage of the spiritual fact which Mrs. Eddy declares in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 201), "Satan is unchained only for a season, as the Revelator foresaw, and love and good will to man, sweeter than a sceptre, are enthroned now and forever."

Copyright, 1929, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.