THE present revolutionary period in human affairs probably has had no historic precedent. Many changes of major importance have taken place in the world even within living memory. When the panorama of passing events is observed from one standpoint the outlook may seem discouraging; but when viewed from a higher and more spiritual vantage ground the prospect becomes clearer and hope revives. The worship of speed, the demand for quicker action, are found everywhere. Even youth is oftentimes impatient of its growth and would challenge every conventional standard. The unseen urge points to the fact that the major portion kind is reaching out for something more satisfying than material sense is able to supply. Dissatisfaction with things as they are, leads to a definite attempt to improve existing conditions. When animated by a right idea, such effort is certain, in time, to be crowned with victory.
When Moses sought to emancipate the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt, he went to Pharaoh and said, "Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: and I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me." The success of the exodus was owing partly to the fact that the people were united in their rebellion against slavery; but they were not wholehearted in their desire to serve the one true God. From earliest time the conflict between the interests of the flesh and those of Spirit has waged, every succeeding generation renewing the struggle in its own way. The aims and achievements of one period have helped onward the aspirations of the next; and yet every member of the human race has had to learn from his own experience. And all must eventually learn to acknowledge and obey God.
When Christ Jesus was on earth he fulfilled all the Scriptural prophecies concerning the Messiah, but the world rejected him because the ideals which he taught were too high for it. Men wanted an earthly potentate who would revive the glorious dynasty of David and Solomon, but Jesus said to Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world," and the chief priests cried, "Crucify him, crucify him." During the course of nineteen hundred years the influence of the Christ, which Jesus exemplified, had leavened the consciousness of mankind sufficiently to admit of the revelation of the Science of the Master's teachings. Christian Science is impersonal and impartial. It is a revelation to the human race of the truth of being. None can monopolize it, and none can destroy its influence, because it is spiritual and beyond the reach of human hatred.
