A Christian Science period in the "Chapel of the Air" series was conducted from Station WOR in New York City and heard from the Mutual Broadcasting System network on Sunday, October 25, 1942, at 11.35 a.m., Eastern War Time. The program was conducted by John A. Meeker, a former First Reader in a Christian Science church, and was presented under the auspices of the Committee on Publication for the State of New York with the approval of The Christian Science Board of Directors. During the program, Hymns Nos. 2, 99, and 359 in the Christian Science Hymnal were sung by a quartet. The address read by Mr. Meeker was substantially as follows:

In these days of war and turmoil, when the forces of cruelty and destruction are rampant throughout the world, multitudes oppressed by brutality and fear are seeking safety, protection, and peace of mind. Bewildered, they find themselves engulfed in a world conflict, with disaster suddenly come upon them. As never before they seek a higher power which promises to meet their daily needs and to bring security and stability to the people of all nations.

The Psalmist gave to the world the immortal lines known as the twenty-third Psalm, which have brought hope, confidence, and peace to countless thousands. This Psalm, expressing fearlessness and calm assurance, was the fruit of spiritual alertness and consecration to good. Through his experience gained while watching his flocks on the Syrian hills, David became acquainted with God and His protecting care. "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters." How often in the midst of storm and strife have these beautiful and imperishable lines of the "shepherd king" brought assurance of security and protection! These words never grow old, for they are based on eternal Truth: they bring to us the certainty of divine protection and of God's loving power and care.

The great need of the world today is that divine quality of compassion which was expressed in the highest degree of clarity and perfection in the life and teachings of Christ Jesus.

The middle of the twentieth century draws near. Men have looked forward to this era as a period of unprecedented progress, a time of enlightenment in which commerce, education, and peace would spread throughout the earth. A quarter of a century ago many hoped that wars between the great powers would not again appear; but today humanity is appalled to find itself in the midst of the greatest and most violent war of all history. And now, after a short period in which the nations had been striving to recover from the effects of the former struggle, the entire world is engaged in a more stupendous conflict.

These facts confront every thoughtful person with the arresting questions: What is the destiny of mankind? Is there to be continual strife upon the earth? Are we to go on to the end of time passing from one period to another of war and carnage? What is wrong, that after two thousand years of Christian civilization these things should be?

One thing is clear. There is no hope for security except in a society of freemen, animated by Christian ethics and morality, whose government is based on justice, righteousness, and truth. Humanity should awaken to the necessity of and be impelled by the desire to follow the Christ, which Jesus revealed and demonstrated, for peace can be established throughout the earth only as Truth lives in the hearts of men.

We should accept and meet the challenge of the political, social, and economic problems confronting humanity with an understanding of Christ, Truth, which alone will sweep away the selfishness and greed so dominant in the world. We cannot shut our eyes to the fact that the present struggle depicts the materialism and sensuality of the carnal mind arrayed against the spiritual idea, revealed by Christ Jesus, and in our time by Christian Science. Back of all national and international problems that have arisen lie the materialism and selfishness of mortal mind.

The followers of Christ, Truth, should lead in promoting the ideals set forth by the Master, wherein man's unity with God, and the brotherhood of man, are recognized and exemplified in Christian living. The great hope of our present day is the widespread awakening to the fact that the world war now going on is the titanic effort of the pagan forces of evil to hinder the progress of Christianity, and that real "stability of our times" can be achieved only as unselfed love is supreme in the hearts of men.

Today it is again being proved that material might eventually fails before the understanding of the presence of spiritual power. The tremendous revolution taking place throughout the world is the evidence that humanity is being shaken out of a false sense of security in material things and is beginning to recognize the eternality and stability of the things of Spirit. In this connection a prophet of modern times, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has made this arresting statement (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 174): "The thunder of Sinai and the Sermon on the Mount are pursuing and will overtake the ages, rebuking in their course all error and proclaiming the kingdom of heaven on earth."

When real peace and freedom are understood as spiritual, unjust political or economic oppression and despotic chains will be broken and the terrorism of human will power silenced before Christian ideals loved and lived.

Jesus taught that the unselfish are receptive of spiritual power and the abundance of good; that activity genuinely profitable to oneself also brings good to one's neighbor. Mrs. Eddy has stated this fundamental and universal law in the divine economy thus (ibid., p. 206): "In the scientific relation of God to man, we find that whatever blesses one blesses all, as Jesus showed with the loaves and the fishes,—Spirit, not matter, being the source of supply." To gain an understanding of this spiritual law frees one from the fear of lack and destroys the evils of covetousness and greed. Living in obedience to this law, the individual brings good to himself, to his country, and to all mankind.

When men and women are consciously obeying the law of Love and Truth they are seeking to secure the general welfare. This is dependent upon an understanding of the infinity and ever-presence of good; it leads to the development of a higher humanity through the recognition of man's divine origin, and his rightful inheritance as a son of God; it involves the realization of man's oneness with God and the spiritual unity of all God's children.

World peace results naturally from the right thinking of individual world citizens. True peace constitutes a quality of spiritual individuality. The power of the spiritual idea is supreme in influencing the destiny of mankind. Therefore, through individual thinking that is governed by divine law will be found the spiritual power that will establish the kingdom of heaven on earth.

With her great spiritual insight, comprehending the problems facing humanity, Mrs. Eddy has written in Science and Health (p. 340), "One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, 'Love thy neighbor as thyself;' annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,— whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed."