In consonance with the period's growing demand that the world's people draw closer together, the United Nations and statesmen from many countries are working to establish a sound base for peace. Statesmanship and diplomacy are, however, experiencing such severe difficulties that it is evident that fundamental errors are active in human thought, resisting these efforts to promote better international relationships.

Christian Scientists, through spiritual alertness, can contribute effectively to the correcting of what is wrong in world affairs by utilizing their understanding of the absolute allness of God, divine Principle, and the consequent all-sufficiency of Love to heal any human ill or situation. Mary Baker Eddy, with her usual profound insight, shows us the way to bring light to world problems when she declares (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 504), "The rays of infinite Truth, when gathered into the focus of ideas, bring light instantaneously, whereas a thousand years of human doctrines, hypotheses, and vague conjectures emit no such effulgence."

This illumination from the ideas of Truth comes to us individually as we cultivate and develop our spiritual understanding through the consecrated study and demonstration of Christian Science. Diligence and continuity of effort are required and bring guidance for our thoughts and actions from the only possible source of intelligence—the divine Mind. Thus we become conscious of the spiritual facts of being which pierce through material conceptions and enlighten our journey from sense to Soul. Destined to extinguish and nullify the false evidence of a material creation, including the discord and strife among nations, these rays of Truth shine forth resplendently from perfect Spirit.

One erroneous claim leading to international misunderstandings is the false belief that the world is governed by men instead of by the one divine Mind. Mrs. Eddy's warning about this in Science and Health is pertinent (pp. 186, 187), "The human mind has been an idolater from the beginning, having other gods and believing in more than the one Mind." Today the false assumption of many minds has bred much contention over what form of government or ideology should regulate mankind's life. To assist in the evolution of international plans whereby men may be guided into a right sense of government. Christian Scientists turn for enlightenment to the all-harmonious, one Mind, God.

Closely allied to the false belief in many minds are mankind's theories regarding power, which it generally classifies as both divine and human. The human mind argues that material power is foremost in the world, that it is apportioned among nations, and that some peoples are more favored than others. Christian Science resolutely relates all evidence which claims the ascendancy of material or physical power, for such evidence contradicts the supremacy and omnipotence of Spirit, God.

International questions related to the subject of authority or sovereignty, and who shall exercise it, are today much to the fore and must be dealt with. Human reasoning would have us perpetuate the inaccurate belief that there are sovereignties many or authorities many, thus producing international conflicts, when the spiritual truth is absolute that there is only one Supreme Ruler in heaven and earth, and that one is God.

As right-minded Christian Scientists we must not entertain a picture of confusion and divisions among men on how the world should be administered. Let us unsee such a claim by first impersonalizing error, and then realizing the falsity of such things as human power or powers, envy, rivalry, monopoly, self-will, dishonesty, or whatever form of error seems to be operating in public affairs. We can deny their validity or existence because God, the divine Principle of all, never made anything but a good universe, including a good man, whose plans, methods and acts must be perfect and loving. In God and His man is nothing that is divisive or obstructive to progress and happiness. In this light Christian Scientists may discern a deeper meaning than is usually accorded to the word "ideology" and think of the infinite flow of right ideas from Spirit, God, to His offspring, man —blessing and unifying, never dividing or harming.

Thinking of world affairs along these lines brings us into accord with Job's statement (Job 32:8). "There is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding." The material or physical man, which God never made, is incapable of Truth-inspired thought. His concept of himself and the universe, being material and ungodly, deprives him of right reasoning and invites confusion, uncertainty, limitation, and selfishness, which in turn clog men's progress.

The true man is the image of the all-seeing, all-knowing Mind, Life, and Love. As we understand this with increasing clarity we gain a greater dominion over human affairs through increased wisdom, foresight, breadth of vision, and an understanding heart.

The record of mortal failures, sufferings, and trials in the pages of history should convince humanity that today there is no way out of materialism's chaos other than that pointed out by the Master. Christ Jesus, who so significantly said (John 8:12). "I am the light of the world."

Describing the satisfying and lasting fruits of diligently and alertly seeking spiritual light to illumine the problems of human existence. Mrs. Eddy states in Science and Health (p. 128): "A knowledge of the Science of being develops the latent abilities and possibilities of man. It extends the atmosphere of thought, giving mortals access to broader and higher realms. It raises the thinker into his native air of insight and perspicacity."