"What then are the so-called forces of matter?" This question is asked by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, on page 35 of her book "Unity of Good." Can there be a more pertinent question in the face of the situation today, when the world of material sense is convulsed by the discovery, in its own realm, of a force seemingly incalculable in its power for good or evil? Mrs. Eddy answers the challenging question, "What then are the so-called forces of matter?" as follows: "They are the phenomena of mortal mind, and matter and mortal mind are one; and this one is a misstatement of Mind, God." She further writes on the same page, "The material atom is an outlined falsity of consciousness, which can gather additional evidence of consciousness and life only as it adds lie to lie."

Is it any wonder, then, that the elaborate systems of false concepts, the addition of lie to lie, the inflamed passions, hatreds, and cruelties of the carnal mind, should seem to manifest themselves in this simulated power? So fearful is it in its destructive force that men stand aghast at it, and, in fear, turn from their misdeeds to contemplate better morals and more humane laws. Fear of evil, however, is not a dependable basis, for either an individual or a nation, on which to build good conduct. When fear is removed there is lapse into old ways. This will seem to occur and to recur until a true knowledge of good is gained and the love of good supersedes the fear of evil. Unless one truly loves and trusts good, he cannot be depended upon steadfastly to serve good and work out its purposes. In order to love good, or God, supremely one must gain a true and scientifically demonstrable knowledge of God, His nature and power, His desirability.

Men have generally looked upon God as an unknown quantity, a capricious deity, sending good and evil upon His creation according to His will. Men are not yet freed from this mythology and the superstitious belief which sees God operating through what are called forces of nature. They give these forces Adamic names, and stand in awe before their own falsities of belief. Can an almighty God be divided against Himself? The power of God, who of creative necessity is good, is law and intelligence, is not found in the splitting of atoms, which produces earth-blasting, destructive detonations. As was revealed of old to the prophet Elijah, the Lord is not in the earthquake, the wind, or the fire.

Where, then, is true power to be found? In the "still small voice" of Truth. True power is in the indivisible oneness of almighty Mind, its divine ideas and spiritual qualities; in the perfect intelligence which could neither create nor permit an element the opposite of itself; in Love divine, whose beneficence is expressed in beauty, impartial joy, and blessedness; in Principle, whose immutability preserves eternal justice and righteousness. Power is to be found only with the one God, who is of "purer eyes than to behold evil." His perfect demonstrator declared God to be Spirit.

One man there has been, the man Christ Jesus, who perfectly understood God as Spirit and who demonstrated the power of Spirit, proving it to be good alone. He set aside every so-called law that material sense has imposed upon itself. What is called the law of gravity was set aside by his understanding of divine Love, which knows no weight of fear. Material laws of production were set aside by his understanding of Spirit as the only substance, whose ideas were ever available to meet the human need. He set aside the so-called law of death by his understanding of eternal Life, self-existent and incapable of extinction. Time and space ceased to exist to his understanding of omnipresence. He demonstrated this power as immediately available. And he said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do."

We need not stand aghast at the simulated power of the would-be forces of matter. Men are being awakened to see that the ever-present perfection of spiritual power and harmony as revealed in Christian Science is no Utopian dream, no unattainable ideal, but the factual reality of being, to be demonstrated. As this truth is accepted and lived, the greater works will be done, not through material, atomic force but through the grace and omnipotence of divine Love, whose mercy has been seen today saving men from their own destruction. Control of atomic force for the purposes of good will be attained and safeguarded through control of the human mind by wisdom and love.

There will be lasting peace on the earth when the people of the earth hear and obey the voice of omnipotent good: "The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: ... thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Then will spiritual power be found operating to reveal man perfect as his creator, free from the limitations of materiality, from the restricting beliefs of time and space—from the lust and ills of the carnal mind. Mrs. Eddy prophesies it thus (Science and Health, p. 264): "When we learn the way in Christian Science and recognize man's spiritual being, we shall behold and understand God's creation,—all the glories of earth and heaven and man."

Margaret Morrison