IF one explores the history of the past as it concerns mankind, one finds it disfigured throughout by tragedy. Often it shows class pitted against class, one class ruthlessly oppressing another, which for the time being is powerless to protect itself. But almost of a certainty the day of retribution comes, when the oppressed become the oppressors, perhaps using methods even more pitiless than those which had kept them in bondage.
How often have men in their struggle to obtain redress for the wrongs they have suffered resorted to ways as harsh and cruel, or even more so, than those against which they had rebelled! This is readily explained when we consider the tendency of mankind to believe that evil is as real as good, and that therefore evil must be met and countered with evil. This method of dealing with evil has, however, time and again but perpetuated the mental and physical suffering of those who used it.
It may be said of the use of destructive mental or physical force that it may appear rapidly to change human or material conditions, and that then, amid the changed conditions, men may seize the opportunity to think more calmly, deliberate more justly, and so formulate better laws for kindlier and more efficient government of themselves and others. Or, to put it another way: after the apparent forces of evil have exhausted themselves, men are freer to think more soberly, more wisely, and more justly, and so to establish among themselves more righteous government. But the fact must be emphasized that the employment of evil in itself never results in good.
Christian Scientists are certain that the use of evil to bring about human betterment was utterly alien to Christ Jesus. Did he not declare that the law of the Hebrews— "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth"—had been superseded by his teaching? His words are (Matthew 5:38,39), "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil." What were the commands he gave to his followers, and to all humanity, which when obeyed should completely do away with the pernicious belief that evil should be met with evil? They were that men should love God wholeheartedly and their neighbor as themselves. Love, not hate with its cruelty, was the method the Master offered for the solution of all humanity's differences.
Christian Science elucidates the Science of Christ Jesus' method. It declares, as he did, that love—the reflection of divine Love—will meet every human problem, inevitably bringing about human betterment. And for the basic reason that God, Spirit, is Love, and All. There is in reality no power but Love, no power but Spirit—no loveless, or hateful, or material power. Since this is true, why should mortals employ unloving, unspiritual methods in dealing with the problems of human relationship? In Science there is no justification for it whatsoever. Writing to the Galatians Paul says (Galatians 5:25), "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." And Mrs. Eddy writes on page 52 of "Miscellaneous Writings," "Whosoever understands the power of Spirit, has no doubt of God's power,—even the might of Truth,—to heal, through divine Science, beyond all human means and methods."
But when conditions are trying within a nation; when persecution is rife and much suffering is experienced, the people are apt to be impatient and to cry out for redress of their wrongs. It is right that they should seek a way out of their distress; and their impatience is humanly natural. But impatience is not of itself an asset. It should be remembered, as Christian Science so plainly teaches, that God is infinite—All-in-all—and that He is the source of all real qualities. Patience is a real spiritual quality—an attribute of perfect Mind. Therefore, in the endeavor to rectify erroneous conditions, patience should reign in one's consciousness, the while one affirms and realizes the truth of the allness of good and the unreality of evil.
More and more must men trust spiritual truth, the truth which Christian Science reveals. More and more must they be convinced that as Truth is understood and declared and Love is reflected, erroneous conditions everywhere, whatever their apparent nature, will be rectified. Our beloved Leader says (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p.206), "Will-power is capable of all evil;" and on page 67, "Grace and Truth are potent beyond all other means and methods."
In teaching the power of Truth and Love, understood and realized, Christian Science is doing a great service to humanity. It is adding to the moral courage of its students —moral courage, which is indispensable in redressing human wrongs and bringing about human betterment. Cowardice vanishes as moral courage, grounded on an understanding of the allness of God, good, appears. And since the moral courage possessed by the Christian Scientist is invariably accompanied by love, compassion, mercifulness, consideration, he will always be wise in the handling of every problem concerning the rights of mankind which may present itself to him.
There is a quality of thought which Christian Scientists seek to possess, and to augment. It is humility. They will never make headway as reformers without it. But it should not be difficult to cultivate this precious spiritual grace when one knows the allness of God as Love. The Christian Scientist who is humble in the divinely right way has no difficulty in being faithful to the admonition of Paul (Galatians 5:26), "Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." Humility protects against wrong, and ensures peace. Nothing can take its place in enabling us to judge rightly concerning human conditions which need rectification or adjustment.
The scientific method whereby human protection is assured and human betterment attained is the method of Christ Jesus. It is plainly set forth in the New Testament, and in Science and Health and Mrs. Eddy's other writings; and all may study it there for themselves. But whoever would pursue this study, in order to make its truths his own, must approach it in sincerity and with purity of motive. The pure in heart see God and are blessed; and in turn they bless others.
