Editorial March 29, 1941 Issue

Babel Supplanted

George Shaw Cook

One of the chief characteristics of the present world situation is what may appear to some to be an overabundance of talk. According to radio and press reports, there is a ceaseless stream of public and semipublic addresses in justification of some particular line of action or in condemnation thereof. Some of this talk is to the point and is obviously sincere and straightforward. Much of it, however, is apparently insincere and designed to confuse the issue rather than to clarify it. All of this seems to indicate that the world has, in belief, become a veritable tower of Babel. This false concept or structure, based upon erroneous material premises, will fall, but humanity will survive, and eventually humanity itself will yield to divinity.

Mary Baker Eddy, on page 581 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," has defined "Babel" as follows: "Self-destroying error; a kingdom divided against itself, which cannot stand; material knowledge. The higher false knowledge builds on the basis of evidence obtained from the five corporeal senses, the more confusion ensues, and the more certain is the downfall of its structure."

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Out of the turmoil which seems to exist today, there will come a solution of world problems which will ensure a more stable sense of government and bring to pass in human experience a condition of things that will be more conducive to the establishment of permanent peace and righteous progress. This, however, will come only through a more general recognition of the divine fact stated by the Apostle Paul, that "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace."

There appear to be many conflicting human opinions about the best, most desirable, and most practical way of establishing peace and prosperity among men. And this conflict of opinions is due largely to the fact that there are many nations, many tongues, and many differing national characteristics and idiosyncrasies, as well as many theories of government, much strife and contention being of purely selfish nature. However, in spite of the testimony of the senses to the contrary, the fact remains that there is, absolutely speaking, but one nation—the people of God; but one government—the government of infinite good; and but one language—the language of Spirit, Soul, divine Principle. All are in reality citizens of the one nation, all are governed by one Principle, and all speak the new tongue of Spirit.

These facts will be demonstrated in human experience, step by step, as men learn to give up self-will and allow themselves to be controlled by the divine will and purpose which is for the good of all, and which eventually must be seen and acknowledged as supreme. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 565 of Science and Health, "The impersonation of the spiritual idea had a brief history in the earthly life of our Master; but 'of his kingdom there shall be no end,' for Christ, God's idea, will eventually rule all nations and peoples—imperatively, absolutely, finally—with divine Science."

It is only through Christ, Truth, as explained in Christian Science, that the prophecy of Jesus, "There shall be one fold, and one shepherd," will be realized. Meanwhile, those who are truly desirous of seeing a better sense of things made manifest will be found working together for the establishment, even with tears and sacrifice, of a truly improved state in which the individual has the greatest possible opportunity to let himself and his affairs be governed by Principle rather than by any form of personal dictation.

The right solution of the problem of government will be facilitated by the unselfish co-operation and united action of those whose point of view is most enlightened, and who really desire the advancement of mankind along right lines. Our beloved Leader says on page 96 of Science and Health: "Mortal error will vanish in a moral chemicalization. This mental fermentation has begun, and will continue until all errors of belief yield to understanding." And she continues: "During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check.  They will aid in the ejection of error. They will maintain law and order, and cheerfully await the certainty of ultimate perfection."

George Shaw Cook

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Editorial
Recognizing the Truth about War
March 29, 1941
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