IN these days of social, economic, and political unrest, the advocates of each particular doctrine, which for the time being holds the stage of public interest, making its bid for popular acceptance and ratification, are inclined to believe that the peace and prosperity of the world, or at least of their own country, depends entirely upon the adoption of the doctrine or measure which has secured their allegiance and support. Without disparagement of any one of these proposed panaceas for so-called public evils, it may be helpful to call attention for the moment to the doctrine of the greatest reformer and philanthropist, the wisest social and political economist the world has ever known, and epitomized in one brief exhortation to his followers: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Search where we may, we shall find no safer guide, no surer policy to follow in our efforts to bring in the millennium.
The mistake of many would-be reformers, those of the past as well as of the present day and generation, is that they have failed to see that the individual who is seeking first the kingdom of God will naturally practise all the virtues in proportion to his progress Godward, no more and no less. The righteous man can no more help being pure, just, charitable, compassionate, loving, than the sun can help giving out warmth and light; and just in proportion to his righteousness are these qualities, these attributes of God, made manifest in all his motives and acts; he is "upright: incorrupt; virtuous; conforming in character and conduct to a right standard; free from guilt or sin; obedient to the moral or divine law." We need to remember that to limit our endeavors to anything less than the attainment of the kingdom of God, which is the sum total of all righteousness, is to limit our achievement thereof in the same degree.
Many of the systems and doctrines which are advocated today as the last word in social and civic reform, may properly receive our individual support and encouragement, because their motive is to aid in the betterment of human conditions; they are movements led by men and women whose unselfishness and devotion to high ideals cannot fail to command our interest and respect. This is well as far as it goes, but we must beware that we do not tarry in these by-paths, nor allow ourselves to be lured by some bauble of temporal interest from the steady pursuit of "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." We who have "enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death" (Science and Health, p. 450), must follow our Leader, keep straight along the highway that leads directly to the kingdom of God.
