"It is 'a consummation devoutly to be wished' that all nations shall speedily learn and practise the intermediate line of justice between the classes and masses of mankind, and thus exemplify in all things the universal equity of Christianity." These words, written by Mary Baker Eddy, are found in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p.181). They show that justice is the great intermediary for mankind. When justice is fully practiced, it will solve all problems of race and class, for it will evidence the infinite love of God, who includes all impartially in His conception of man's spiritual perfection.
Because those called Christian have not always exemplified, and still do not always exemplify, "the universal equity of Christianity" in all things, this does not annul the fact that Christianity itself stands for absolute justice. Nor should this cause once exploited peoples to distrust the higher sense of Christianity and the progress which is being made in applying it in international affairs. Christianity represents its own ideal of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, the sovereignty of divine Love and the purity and equality of God's spiritual sons. On the other hand, frequent lack of appreciation of their efforts to be helpful should not deter Christian nations from acting in a just and humane manner toward less fortunate peoples. Justice and compassion, persisted in, are certain eventually to receive full recognition of their divine source. Such practical ways of praising God will destroy the distrust and the prejudices of "the classes and masses of mankind." They will silence the pride of superiority, as well as the servility of inferiority. They will bring about a universal gauging of worth by spiritual standards alone, so that the degree of intelligence and wisdom and love an individual expresses will determine his status among men.
Christ Jesus both healed and fed people in multitudes. He was evidently not concerned with human or social equality but with the universal truth of being, which his clear spiritual sense discerned. He saw everyone in those multitudes as having complete access to God's blessings because of the innate perfection of man's being in Spirit. In this way he went directly to the heart of the problem of inequality and established its solution for all to work out. His counsel was (Matt. 5:48), "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
