Editorial June 3, 1944 Issue

Enlisting for the Duration

John Randall Dunn

In these unquiet days of global upheaval, a slacker indeed would be the individual who closes ears and thought to the Macedonian cry to come to the aid of stricken, bewildered humanity. In America, as in other lands, men are being called to the colors, to necessary defense and farm work; women in ever-increasing numbers are responding splendidly to wartime demands; children are enlisted for service in many fields of endeavor. The general feeling is that we are all in it for the duration. It might be well, however, to determine just how far in it, just how intelligently enlisted for right activity, we are.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 450), the valiant Leader of the Christian Science movement, Mary Baker Eddy, sends forth this challenging call to her followers: "The Christian Scientist has enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death; and he will overcome them by understanding their nothingness and the allness of God, or good. Sickness to him is no less a temptation than is sin, and he heals them both by understanding God's power over them." The Christian Science soldier, therefore, gladly accepts this enlistment, not only for the duration of the present world-wide conflict, but until all sin and error are put underfoot and harmony reigns on earth as in heaven.

Can the duration be considered at an end with the signing of a peace treaty? Real peace cannot come on earth until mankind witnesses what Matthew Arnold calls the "endless extinction of unhappy hates." May we not studiously, prayerfully, face the situation which will confront us when the war drums are silenced? Many, of course, recall the scenes which followed the tidings of the Armistice on that famous November day in 1918. Into the streets swarmed masses of shouting, well-nigh delirious people. How graphically Milton has described such a picture as this in "Paradise Lost":

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