In the fifth chapter of Matthew, which contains the Beatitudes, the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, we read the following statement made by Jesus: "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Before the light of Christian Science shone into the life of the writer, she was apt to give a very limited meaning to this beatitude. She believed it referred solely to quarrels between two or more persons or parties, or to war between nations. Those who acted as peacemakers to such, and effected a reconciliation, would stand out as shining lights, aflame with a righteousness all their own, putting everybody else in the shade! But studying the word of our Master in the light of Christian Science, a better understanding of peacemaking was gained.

In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy writes (pp. 214, 215): "Spirit's senses are without pain, and they are forever at peace. Nothing can hide from them the harmony of all things and the might and permanence of Truth." From this it follows that man's peace consists of the ever present, unbroken harmony of all that constitutes the infinite manifestation of divine Mind, together with the knowledge of the oneness, all-presence, and eternality of spiritual reality.

To the student of Christian Science this understanding of what constitutes peace opens a new and wonderful outlook on the countless opportunities for human peacemaking. We need not wait for quarrels, controversies, or wars, or watch for the right moment to step in and interfere by way of personal influence. Indeed, we cannot take a single step on our way from sense to Soul without making peace. In Galatians we read, "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit." And all through our textbook our Leader points to the one great necessity, — that of overcoming material sense with spiritual sense. Consequently, we are daily and hourly called upon to make peace: to deny the reality of everything material and discordant, and to gain that understanding which knows only good, by the spiritualization of thought. Such true peacemaking necessarily requries steadfast striving and wakefulness. We must watch every step we take, and make sure we are going forward in the right direction. In the everyday walks of life, to material sense often so full of discord, — in business, in society, in the workshop, at home, wherever we may be stationed,— there it is our duty to make peace with God, to give up the erring, material concepts of person and things and be at-one with divine Mind, by gaining the spiritual, harmonious sense of being as it pertains to surroundings, conditions, substance, and existence.

To begin with, we do not always recognize our opportunities for making peace— except when danger or sorrow tempts us. Then we are very willing to make peace with God. But as we press along the rugged path we begin to see that this is not enough. We begin to learn the necessity of gaining the spiritual sense of "all things." Then, too, we are not always ready to be peacemakers. But if we are in earnest we shall, step by step, overcome the belief in false concepts, remembering the words of our Master, "Blessed are the peacemakers." They are to be blessed, not at some future time, but now, and at once.

The student of Christian Science knows that God is good. There are no portions of good, some far away, some close at hand; but all of God, good, is everywhere present, and all good therefore belongs to all of God's ideas, as reflection. Jesus surely referred to this fact when he added, "For they shall be called the children of God." In other words, if we are true peacemakers we are partakers of ever present good. On page 582 of our textbook Mrs. Eddy defines the word "children" as follows: "The spiritual thoughts and representatives of Life, Truth, and Love." By putting off the carnal mind in our effort to make peace, we utilize our divinely bestowed ability to express God, good. And thus we are indeed blessed;we prosper and are happy, even while seemingly in the midst of material turbulence.

Blessed are we, therefore, when we deny all material sense testimony, and acknowledge no evidence of existence except that which is spiritual. Blessed are we when we adhere to the judgement of Truth, and do not lend an ear to the whisperings of error. Blessed are we, indeed, when we are peacemakers among men, refusing to know aught but God and His perfect creation, man, the expression and manifestation of divine Love.

Thou infinite All,
My sun and shield,
Protect this day Thy child From human ill;
My guiding star by night,
My light and guard by day,
Oh, Love divine, forever mine,
Rule Thou my will.

Margarette H. Rhule.