UNITY of the people of the earth has been the ideal of statesmen, rulers, and ecclesiastics at different times in the history of the world. Men have given their fortunes and some their lives to achieve such a result. Yet in the twentieth century of the Christian era there still remain division and strife among mankind. It is true that international unity has progressed in a marked degree because of the labors of noble people. But much is still to be accomplished in this direction before a permanent unity of purpose and action is adopted by all races.
Many are the means with which humanity has sought to establish and maintain world harmony. Force, social intercourse, and religious appeal have been tried. Educational, commercial, and financial means have been employed. Both open and secret diplomacy have proved inadequate to achieve the perfect result. Over and over again the selfishness, lusts, and ambitions of the carnal mind have prevented, or reversed in some degree, the progressive steps of humanity toward the goal of universal harmony. Because of such failures it is evident that the desired unity of men must rest upon some diviner basis.
So men are still hoping and working for the day and way of world peace. Will this hope ever be realized? If such an inquiry were addressed to a Christian Scientist, he might reply that perhaps its fulfillment is already occurring. Then he might add, May it not be possible that the longed-for idea of God's universal government with its attendant peace is, by the power of God, already unfolding, although still unrecognized by the majority of men? Let us assume that such may be the truth, and search for evidence of it within the Church of Christ, Scientist.
