One sometimes hears an outstanding individual referred to as the man of the hour. Here, it is felt, has arisen the long-awaited person who can discern the implications of the world's complex problems and has the insight and wisdom to handle them, being thus able to avert a possible or impending crisis. At the present time, one is felt to be earnestly needed who will lead the hard-pressed nations to victory and peace. Mankind rests its hopes in this or that one of earth's human leaders, or in a combination of high-thinking and right-seeking individuals who have been placed in power.
These persons are undoubtedly being guided to use the best means they know to lead the governments out of danger and darkness into safety and light. It is our part to realize that our public men are indeed inspired of God, and that the world may through them be governed wisely and well. However, the real man of the hour is more than any one or several persons. He is above and yet nearer than all such. He is right here and right now, for he is the true idea of divine Love, the expression of the power and activity of God.
In this sense, of course, the term "man" does not refer to a particular person. It does not even mean a composite or generalized mortal man. Were this the concept of man under discussion, it would necessitate a finite or limited God, since man manifests his origin, which is God. Rather, the term "man," as here considered, is a generic term. It includes only right ideas, since God is the Mind of man. Now man's consciousness, being the reflection of God, is aware of the power and presence of God, aware of the might and wisdom of Mind, aware of the strength and indestructibility of Life, aware of the calm, exalted, and immovable peace of Love. If there could be self-made weakness, ignorance, fatigue, destructibility, confusion, or hate, all negations of Deity, God could not know them. Neither could the full consciousness of Him know them, for it would be impossible to be aware both of God's presence and of God's absence.
