There is probably no word more frequently on the lips and in the hearts of humanity today than the word "peace." Peace is the desire of millions, the universal quest, and the necessary prelude to better living and a new world. Recovery, adequate production, the approach to normal living, are dependent upon agreement, co-operation, teamwork, unified objective, all of which demand at least a modicum of peace in which to operate. In the midst of much thinking, writing, and speaking, and of many peace plans and conferences, there is frequent warning of the possibility of a third world war. However, many far-seeing people are convinced, and it seems a right conclusion, that we are not in danger of beginning such a war, for the reason that we are already in the midst of it.

The First World War was comparatively narrow and restricted, not only in its physical area, but in its scope and intent. The Second World War enlarged its borders and brought almost every nation of the world into its sweep. Isolationism largely faded, and humanity more fully awakened to the challenge made against its freedom and its very life. Victory for the freedom-loving nations attended both of these great conflicts, but almost as soon as the firing ceased, there began another great struggle, a struggle, both mental and physical, for power between different ideologies. In this struggle contrary political views of many nations, conflicts between races, rivalry between religious groups, have been highlighted.

It is a time for Christian Scientists to remember Paul's words (II Cor. 10:4, 5), "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God." Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, on one occasion said to her followers (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 99): "Men and women of the nineteenth century, are you called to voice a higher order of Science? Then obey this call." And she puts this stirring question to them: "How many are there ready to suffer for a righteous cause, to stand a long siege, lake the front rank, face the foe, and be in the battle every day?"

Eleven years later she wrote to the congregation assembled in The Mother Church (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 127): "A siege of the combined centuries, culminating in fierce attack, cannot demolish our strongholds. The forts of Christian Science, garrisoned by God's chosen ones, can never surrender." Then, after speaking of our armament, which is not costly as men reckon cost, but is incalculably rich and invincible on land or sea, she explains: "It is not curtailed in peace, surrendered in conquest, nor laid down at the feet of progress through the hands of omnipotence. And why? Because it is 'on earth peace, good will toward men,'—a cover and a defence adapted to all men, all nations, all times, climes, and races."

Centuries ago Christ Jesus, our Master, foresaw the mental chemicalization of the whole world and described it in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew. Our beloved Leader has further foretold these events in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 96, 97) in the chapter entitled "Christian Science versus Spiritualism."

Yet the message which heralded the birth of Jesus and with which the angelic host announced the Christian era was one of peace and good will toward men. Throughout his ministry Jesus emphasized this good will and its peace. In two instances he said to the one he healed, "Go in peace"; and this golden thread of confident serenity finds its way through his entire healing work. When he was rudely awakened by his disciples' call, "Carest thou not that we perish?" —a wicked insinuation—his first word was "Peace." He turned at once to the exaltation of Spirit, and from his understanding of his union with this spiritual calm he was able to say to the storm, "Be still." Shortly before his final ordeal and triumph, he gave this message to the disciples and to the world (John 14:27): "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you." He left us peace, his peace.

After the mighty victory over hatred and persecution, Christ Jesus appeared to his followers as simply and naturally as before the resurrection, and his tender salutation to them was, "Peace be unto you." He had already told them that peacemakers should be called the children of God, and he stood before them conscious of that eternal peace which crowned his ministry as the Son of God.

Peace for which the world longs will never be found in a mere undisturbed sense of material living. Many of those formerly dead to the things of Spirit have heard the voice of the Son of God, and they will never again mistake the old stupid reliance upon material satisfaction for what they once called peace, a peace which means, "Let us alone; what have we to do with thee?" Let us alone to have our own way and to rest undisturbed in our sensuous philosophy. Human history has progressed too far for that. "They that hear shall live," said the Master—they must live, and live anew.

The frantic effort to creep back into graves of material thinking will not avail for the future, nor will it bring peace. Our Leader says (The People's Idea of God, p.1), "Every step of progress is a step more spiritual;" and Truth ordains that progress can be made only in the direction of Spirit. Peace is more than agreement among human beings, as music is more than harmonious sounds. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit resident in the Mind of the creator, infinite Love, where it must be sought and found. One of our poets has asked of mankind this question:

The parting gift of our Master must be with us yet—

his peace.