The attention of the world is focused at present on what is termed the economic problem of supply and distribution. To provide for its material needs has ever been one of the absorbing tasks of mankind; and through the ages men have believed that this task must be accomplished through toil, struggle, and conflict with opposing forces. Always there have seemed to be inequalities between supply and demand, and notwithstanding great achievement in all lines of human endeavor little lasting progress seems to have been made toward an intelligent mastery of the problem of equitable supply and distribution. Throughout history, down to the present time, there have been recurring times of famine. Human systems, while ameliorating the consequences, have found no remedy for these conditions, because fundamentally false concepts have produced them. Today it is becoming more and more clear to thoughtful people that the remedy for these conditions must be sought not in human ways and means, but in a better understanding of divine or spiritual law.

To spiritually enlightened thought this remedy has always been at hand. The Scriptures record the revelation of God's presence and the operation of His law through the inspired vision of those who were spiritually-minded enough to receive it. In the first chapter of Genesis we read that to man created in the image and likeness of God dominion over all the earth was given; that is, the right to utilize all the provision of divine, creative intelligence was freely bestowed on him. According to spiritual revelation, then, God's children do not have to toil and struggle to obtain that which is their rightful inheritance. The curse, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread," was not pronounced on God's man, but upon the false sense of man, the offspring of material sense. Yet, strangely enough, the misconception has prevailed and the true sense of man has been obscured.

Throughout the Scriptures, by precept and recorded proof, the provision of the creator for His creation is consistently declared. Whence came the manna which fed the Israelites in the wilderness, or the water which flowed from the rock? What was the source of the oil which filled the widow's vessels or the meal which supplied the need of the woman of Zarephath? Is it not plain that these and many similar manifestations were the results of a law understood and utilized by the enlightened spiritual leaders of Israel?

The prophet Isaiah declared, "Men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him." Not to material sense, believing itself to be under the curse of burden-bearing and struggle for existence, but to spiritual thought-taking, comes the realization of God's provision, and its verification through the actual appearing of that which supplies the human need.

Christ Jesus, whose complete understanding of spiritual law made him the Saviour and Way-shower of mankind, discerned this never failing law of supply and gave complete proof of his ability to demonstrate it. He did not ignore the human need, but lovingly admonished, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Marvelous, indeed, were the proofs which Jesus gave of ever present abundance; and he said to his followers, "The works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do." Christian Science is elucidating for mankind the truth about God contained in the Scriptures and showing its present availability. Mrs. Eddy gives this comforting assurance to all (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 494): "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need."

Seeing then that through Scriptural revelation, Christianly scientific reasoning, and demonstration there has been given to us an accumulation of evidence as to the existence of a spiritual law of supply, would it not be wise to follow this leading and, step by step, find the truth which, as it is understood and used, brings freedom from burden-bearing and lack? Today, again, famine stalks in many places throughout the world, and in some places even in the midst of plenty, showing clearly that help must lie in the things which eye hath not seen. To those who have had the blessing of the teachings of Christian Science the way out is revealed. They who daily pray for the establishing of God's kingdom on earth can never admit the existence of any rule save the beneficent rule of divine Love, which includes no loss, no poverty or fear of it. Every student of Christian Science has proved in some measure that the existence of the law of Love is no emotional dream, but a demonstrable fact; and he treasures as a heavenly experience the unmistakable evidence of the Father's provision which has been his reward for turning to Spirit in his hour of need.

At a time when human systems have so palpably failed, and men are blindly seeking security and stability in that which has no power to bestow them, the demand of the hour surely is that all those who have discerned the truth should rise to a clearer and more positive sense of it for themselves and for the world. Humanity cries out to be delivered. How may we more surely establish our sonship with the Father and come unto the inheritance of those "things which God hath prepared"? One obtains an inheritance by proving his identity and claiming his portion as a rightful heir, but he would be working against his claim if with one breath he declared his sonship and with the next expressed doubt of it. What God hath prepared is for those who wait for Him, who abide steadfastly in the assurance of this provision, notwithstanding those things which mortal sense is declaring.

As the walls of Jericho seemed an impregnable barrier to the progress of the Israelites toward possession of the promised land, so today material sense presents a wall of obstruction to every activity of good. But as the walls of Jericho crumbled before the steadfast, triumphant faith of the Israelites, so must all delusive barriers to God's eternal purpose crumble before spiritual right thinking. Failing business, reduced incomes, vanishing bank accounts, shrinking securities, unemployment, and all the evidences of poverty and fear, the externalizing of mortal mind's own beliefs, are what mortal mind sees. But what shall we say to these things? We shall recognize the falsity of all that would deny the supremacy of God's law. Divine Love's provision is here and is abundant, and cannot be withheld or destroyed. The Father does not give us a stone for bread, or close any door to those who sincerely seek Him. Into the most unpromising human circumstances at any moment may flow, for the expectant one, copious streams from God's inexhaustible supply. On page 277 of "Miscellaneous Writings" our Leader writes, "No evidence before the material senses can close my eyes to the scientific proof that God, good, is supreme."

As "children of light" we cannot be held in the fogs of mortal mind. Walking in that light we shall find what "God hath prepared," and we shall hear the tender voice of the Father saying, as in the words of the father in Jesus' parable, "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine."