Present Problems

Albert F. Gilmore

For many centuries, they of spiritual vision have been looking with yearning eyes for that blessed day when, through common recognition of God's omnipotence, strife should cease and swords could safely be beaten into ploughshares and pruninghooks, and nations could disarm without danger. To such, the vision of Isaiah has not seemed idealistic and chimerical, but practical and wholly possible of realization; for they have had strong faith in the fulfillment of God's promises. During the great war, it will be recalled, the cry "A war to end war" was raised, inspiring to new and higher deeds of valor, and to greater sacrifice. Almost countless young men, hearing this slogan and heeding it, went forth with the firm conviction that they were engaged in the most vital conflict of all time, a veritable Armageddon, the last conflict, because henceforth war would be rendered impossible.

Yet with four years elapsed, the world continues to ring with the sound of conflict; and it appears that the same seeds from which sprang the last war, and all preceding it, are still implanted in human thought, and again threaten to develop into the prospect of the usual harvest of strife, with all its untoward happenings. But for the spiritual vision of those blessed with the understanding of God's presence and power as revealed in Christian Science, the situation would truly seem appalling; for, look where one may, in this direction or that, mortal thought finds in human affairs no resting place, where it may settle with the assurance, Here I may abide in peace. The events which Christ Jesus foretold have transpired with startling exactness. Wise interpreter of the signs of the times, he read in mortal thought the errors which would continue to find expression in turbulence, strife, and wantonness until their final destruction; hence his words, "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet;" and he foresaw strife between nations and kingdoms, earthquakes, famine, and pestilence, declaring, "All these are the beginning of sorrows."

How wonderfully have his prophecies been fulfilled! And, manifestly, "the end is not yet." But the Nazarene, bearer of the Christ-message to mankind and its divine Comforter, did not fulfill his holy mission by merely drawing pictures of misery, appalling in their portent. His mission was to point the way to salvation from what appeared as most direful woes, and which could be healed through Christ's ministry; and he offered the remedy in gentlest terms: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." What ineffable assurance of peace is conveyed by these words, simple in form but mighty in meaning! Here he portrayed the means whereby mankind, as individuals or grouped in nations, could gain the understanding which leads to infinite bounty, peace, and blessedness, even to eternal life,—by coming unto him, by gaining the Mind of Christ. Because the message has not been more universally heeded, turbulence amounting to nothing short of chaos prevails in certain quarters of the earth.

With the revelation of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy bestowed upon mankind the immeasurable blessing of a remedy for all its ills, a perfect antidote for all its sorrows. In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 279) she states, "God is Father, infinite, and this great truth, when understood in its divine metaphysics, will establish the brotherhood of man, end wars, and demonstrate 'on earth peace, good will toward men.'" This blessing, however, entails upon its beneficiaries a most important duty. Upon those who have partaken of spiritual truth, there devolves the compelling obligation to demonstrate in practice its perfect Principle; for thus alone will its healing potency become manifest. Confronted with problems of greatest moment to mankind, individually and collectively, Christian Scientists have at hand a remedy that knows no defeat, for Truth has never failed, and never can fail. Lack of understanding on the part of the demonstrator may seem to fail, but Truth itself never fails; else God would fall away in some degree from the omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence which characterize Him as the one infinite God. Thinking rightly, knowing the truth about God, man, and the universe, and declaring it constantly, will invariably assist in breaking the claims of error. Truth is no less potent in healing nations or peoples apparently inflamed by the demon of lust for power, larger domain, revenge, than in healing the individual laboring under the belief of sickness or sin. Truth is the perfect solvent, without limitation in its power and availability.

Whether there be lack of a desire for peace and unity among warring peoples; whether there be contention and strife among labor unions and employers; whether there be fear engendered by the belief of lack of food supply, fuel, or any other so-called necessity of life, the condition is to be overcome by spiritual understanding; for Spirit, God, is at once the great adjuster of human differences, the healer of human woes, and the source of all good. There is a manifest awakening to this fact, and the impulse is world-wide. Christ Jesus was the way. Our Leader walked in it, with the result that she learned its method and gave it to the world. Christ is the only way for the alleviating of distress, for ending wars, for redeeming the sinner. Mrs. Eddy pertinently says in Miscellany (p. 279), "The Principle of Christian Science demonstrates peace." Christian Scientists, imbued with the spirit and possessed of the letter of Christianity, must needs be the demonstrators of world-wide tranquillity.

Albert F. Gilmore.

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