Visitors to Rockefeller Center in New York City are impressed by an imposing mural in the Main Lobby of the RCA Building by the British painter Frank Brangwyn. It portrays the artist's impression of Jesus delivering his great Sermon on the Mount. ^{Matt., chaps. 5-7 .} To me it seems that the Master's immediate contemporaries are shown listening intently, but the attitude of succeeding generations as depicted in the lower portions of the panel suggests a total disregard of his teachings. The mural bears this inscription: "Man's ultimate destiny depends not on whether he can learn new lessons or make new discoveries and conquests, but on his acceptance of the lesson taught him close upon two thousand years ago." ^{Alan Balfour, Rockefeller Center: Architecture as Theater (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1978), fig. 281 .}

Those teachings, first given by Christ Jesus, would seem to have been largely ignored, or set aside as impracticable. Yet they are as applicable and necessary today as they ever were. The message is to all mankind, and it has been reiterated in the teachings of Christian Science.

It has been said that Christianity has failed to solve the world's problems, but has it really been tried? To have one God, one Mind, and to love one's neighbor as oneself are commands that form the basis of the Golden Rule. This rule, if practiced universally from this basis, would ensure healing and peace for mankind.

Necessary as conferences and summit meetings may be, the nations are still searching to find this permanent basis for the enduring peace and harmony that the world so sorely needs. Mrs. Eddy writes: "The talent and genius of the centuries have wrongly reckoned. They have not based upon revelation their arguments and conclusions as to the source and resources of being,—its combinations, phenomena, and outcome,—but have built instead upon the sand of human reason. They have not accepted the simple teaching and life of Jesus as the only true solution of the perplexing problem of human existence." ^{Unity of Good, p. 9.}

Peace, prosperity and progress, wise guidance in human affairs, and inspired leadership by those in office, are the fruits of acknowledging, understanding, and demonstrating the truth that God, Mind, is supreme in governing His creation. To the degree that the government of national and international concerns is brought into conformity with divine law, we will see the prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled: "When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." ^{Isa. 26:9.}

Christ Jesus revealed the divine way to universal harmony. His Sermon on the Mount points to Love as the antidote for strife. His timeless message is practical and operative today in proportion as mankind puts his precepts into practice. We do this by bringing to our individual environment a clearer concept of God and of man as His likeness—a better understanding of the universality of divine Love and its infinite manifestation.

Every individual who longs to relieve the world's burden of fear and want, of discord and strife, can be encouraged by the knowledge that all right thoughts and motives have omnipotent Mind to support and further them.

If one is discouraged by the problems facing humanity today, he may be tempted to think his prayerful efforts of little avail. Mrs. Eddy quotes this verse in one of her sermons:

She continues later on the same page, "Each of Christ's little ones reflects the infinite One, and therefore is the seer's declaration true, that 'one on God's side is a majority.'" ^{Pulpit and Press, p. 4.}

God is supreme, infinite, All—not merely the greater of two powers, but the only power, by reason of His omnipotence and omnipresence. Thus to be on God's side is to bring our thoughts and aims into line with the divine Principle that bases Christ Jesus' teachings.

The world has need of our prayers. The Bible tells us, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." ^{James 5:16.} Then, how much can be accomplished by a host of Christianly scientific thinkers! We can join with countless others throughout the world who are also praying for peace, health, and harmony on earth. By doing so we are helping our community, our country, and all mankind in the most effective way possible.

Throughout her writings Mrs. Eddy emphasizes the necessity of cultivating Christly qualities such as meekness, purity, mercy, and forgiveness. As we exercise these qualities we are helping to promote the reign of universal harmony in which all are united in love. We each have the opportunity and ability and, yes, the duty, to express God more fully in daily life and contacts, to live the Golden Rule, and so hasten the establishment of worldwide peace.

These words by Mrs. Eddy sound the keynote of duty for all who truly desire to contribute to the betterment of society and therefore of the world: "The present is ours; the future, big with events. Every man and woman should be to-day a law to himself, herself,—a law of loyalty to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 12.} Such loyalty will bless our lives, our contacts with our fellowmen, and will aid in shaping a better destiny for mankind.