AT the present, as well as at other times of turmoil, it is desirable that Christian Scientists should maintain their poise. It is imperative that they should not, in the midst of disturbing world conditions, be thrown off their mental balance. There is much being said and done that would have a decided tendency to disturb one's equilibrium if one were not on guard. Therefore, students of Christian Science should hold thought steadfastly to the harmonious facts of being in spite of the persistent efforts of evil to upset them.

The mental chemicalization which is taking place, partly, no doubt, as the result of the fuller appearing of Christ, Truth, in human consciousness, is bringing to the surface conditions which if not seen as unreal would, to say the least, seem appalling. The fear, hatred, distrust, deceit, aggression, and other kinds of destructive thinking would appear overwhelming if one were not able to see them as unreality. Christian Science is helping thousands to understand that however much evil may boast itself as power, and however persistent its claim to power may be, one may still, with understanding of the omnipotence and omnipresence of good, see evil as powerless and unreal. And Mary Baker Eddy, on page 569 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," says, "Every mortal at some period, here or hereafter, must grapple with and overcome the mortal belief in a power opposed to God."

To overcome the belief in "a power opposed to God" one must understand that God, good, is infinite. It is obvious that God, infinite good, being the only creative power, and being infallible intelligence, could not create, and has not created, a power opposed to itself. Therefore, no such power exists, and nothing that seems to exist as the manifestation of a supposititious evil cause has any actuality. It matters not how real evil may appear to be, or how long it may have seemed to continue, it still remains, as it always has been, an unreal condition of belief, utterly devoid of substance, presence, activity, intelligence, power, or authority.

When Christ Jesus was confronted by the appearance of evil, whether it seemed to the material senses to be discord, disease, or death, he was able to maintain his mental and spiritual poise because he knew the allness of God, good, and the consequent nothingness of evil. Therefore, when Peter, attempting to walk on the water, in emulation of the Master, but without his understanding, began to sink, and cried, "Lord, save me," Jesus faced the situation with complete equanimity. And it is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew that "immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

When Jesus came to the house where the daughter of Jairus was believed to have died, and found, in accordance with the prevailing custom, "the minstrels and the people making a noise," he was not disturbed, but calmly said, "Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth." And although "they laughed him to scorn," Jesus was not in the least disturbed by the testimony of the senses, for, as the record continues, "He went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose." The Master knew that Life is God, and that man, His idea, is the living image of Life.

Even when Jesus stood before Pilate with the sentence of death soon to be pronounced, he maintained his poise and serenity. He was undisturbed by the shouts of the Jewish rabble or by the questioning of the Roman governor. He faced the situation with the utmost serenity and assurance. If, then, Christ Jesus, the Way-shower for mankind, was able in such trying circumstances to remain calm—to maintain his poise—may not we, his followers, prove that through the Christ, Truth, we can be undisturbed by the conditions which confront us today?

After all, war is not going on in reality, but in belief. No matter how horrible, how hideous, or how unnecessary it may appear to be, it is not real. There is no war in God's kingdom, and that is where man dwells. God, divine Love, does not know war or any of its so-called causes, and man cannot know something that God, the all-knowing Mind, does not know. Therefore, let us be calm, let us retain our mental balance, let us maintain our poise.

Our beloved Leader says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 277): "No evidence before the material senses can close my eyes to the scientific proof that God, good, is supreme. Though clouds are round about Him, the divine justice and judgment are enthroned. Love is especially near in times of hate, and never so near as when one can be just amid lawlessness, and render good for evil."

GEORGE SHAW COOK