AT the opening of this new year the most casual observer of human affairs could hardly fail to note that an assertive spirit of unrest pervades the atmosphere of every field of mortal activity. The diplomatic maneuvering of the dominant nations for vantage in their several "spheres of influence;" the perennial agitation of the asserted need of competitive militarism; the struggle in the entire economic world respecting the rights of capital and labor and the more equitable distribution of wealth; the growing demands of the people for more direct control of legislation and for the elimination of the business monopolist and the political boss; the well-nigh universal protest against the support of the traditional in faith or practice, for its own sake,—all these things are contributing to a mental turmoil which has had few equals in history and which to many seems to imperil the continuance of every established order. Happily the conflict is not now expressed in militant warfare, but its intensity is great, and its outcome involves such vast issues for the race that freedom from fear finds no warrant apart from an abiding faith in God and His overrule in all the earth.
As one looks into the arena of human life, every part of which is thus crowded with contentions, he can but think of the contrast it presents to that "kingdom of heaven on earth" (Science and Health, p. 110) which every one feels ought to be, and which Christian prophecy has assured us will be. That Truth and Love alone can bring peace to the troubled waters is made very clear when we remember that at its center every problem, whether political, economic, or religious, is ethical, a question of right: and the fact that nothing is ever settled until right is found and established, supplies the sufficient reason why the gospel is the only panacea for every human ill.
This, however, brings one face to face with another fact of the greatest moment, namely, that as compared with the early days of Christianity the preaching of the gospel today seems to be ineffective. Not only are so-called Christian countries and Christian individuals doing violence to the most positive and elemental teaching of Christ, but the words of the preacher are no longer waited for and gladly heard by the multitude as in the days when to the poor the word of the disciples brought the balm of healing. This lamentable condition brings a burden to the hearts of the ministers of every denomination, and its explanation is easily found. The sicknesses and sins of the world bring no less discomfort today than they did in the first century, and sufferers long just as earnestly for freedom from their pain. If, therefore, this power of the gospel were as manifest today as it was when the afflicted gathered about the Master and his disciples, can any question that its attraction for and influence over the "common people" would be any less marked?
