Many people are asking themselves today: "What is my relationship to the world conflict? And what part may I have in bringing it to a right settlement?" In attempting an answer to these questions one must necessarily consider some of the fundamental points at issue, and by reason and revelation gain some sense of direction and guidance. It may seem difficult when in the cross fire of human opinion to arrive at a satisfying answer; nevertheless, it is practicable through the good offices of Christian Science to have a clear sense of right, and to go forward with tranquil assurance, confident that God governs.
In the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, are many helpful and inspiring passages which serve to guide the student through the maze of conflicting claims and counterclaims of material sense. One such is found on page 20 of her Message to The Mother Church for 1901, where she says: "People may listen complacently to the suggestion of the inaudible falsehood, not knowing what is hurting them or that they are hurt. This mental bane could not bewilder, darken, or misguide consciousness, physically, morally, or spiritually, if the individual knew what was at work and his power over it." In the face of baneful influences, then, it is the individual who must learn what is at work and realize his power over it. Christian Science reveals God as the sum of all being, and His nature as good. Therefore, anything that is not good is not of God, but is illegitimate, spurious, false. The simple test of good or evil, as evidenced by its effects, will enable us to discern what is at work, strengthen our determination to align ourselves on the side of right, and free us from the oppression and depression of wrong thinking. We should ask ourselves: "Is it something that blesses or injures? Does it enlighten or darken? Does it free or enslave, enrich or impoverish?" In this elementary manner is it possible to weigh the most confused issues and to set a course on the side of righteousness.
It is always well to remember, when considering the tortuous ways of evil, that they are of necessity entirely supposititious. Like the weeds in the flower garden, they are recognized solely for the purpose of uprooting and destroying them. "There is no power apart from God," our Leader writes on page 228 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures;" and she also says (p. 234,) "Evil thoughts and aims reach no farther and do no more harm than one's belief permits."
