Liberty

Liberty can’t be established by a false peace. It takes the righteous facts of truth to satisfy the high ideals of liberty. Mrs. Eddy writes, “Truth crushed to earth springs spontaneously upward, and whispers to the breeze man’s inalienable birthright — Liberty.” (My.) History shows the sad results of allowing one’s self to be deceived by a white flag which has behind it the traitorous plan of the black flag. Pacifism, the attitude which clamors for peace at any price, produces a false peace which puts the world in confusion, for it gives the enemy just what it wants.

Christian Science gives us the ability to penetrate the veil of mesmerism caused by pacifism. Pacifism attempts to pacify without healing. Real pacification does not permit evil to be covered up, but uncovers evil in order to destroy it. The true pacificator is one who brings peace through healing. Mrs. Eddy illustrates the true prayer for peace, “Each day I pray for the pacification of all national difficulties, for the brotherhood of man, for the end of idolatry and infidelity, and for the growth and establishment of Christian religion — Christ’s Christianity.” (My.) The real peace of God, which is not human pacifism, is a state of consciousness in which man walks and talks with God. Mental alertness is clothed with God’s protecting power.

In the message for 1900 Mrs. Eddy wrote, “Certain elements in human nature would undermine the civic, social, and religious rights and laws of nations and peoples, striking at liberty, human rights, and self-government — and this, too, in the name of God, justice, and humanity!” Christian Scientists know that wrong thinking has to be corrected in order to demonstrate the right understanding of the Principle that governs and supplies all good. We are Christian soldiers; filling our places in civic life as true citizens working under the power of God to heal and save. God is always at hand to help in every problem, if we understand Him to be the only power that saves and heals.

Look unflinchingly into the cause and effect of war. Can there be a cessation of warlike activities until the cause of this evil has been utterly destroyed? We will have the peace of God, when the righteousness of men is established upon earth, so that all will be free to live in liberty. There is no failure on the side of Truth. Christian Science dispels depression and fear, and lightens the burdens of the weary.

Nations must find out that they cannot commit crimes with impunity. Merely to restrain criminal nations would not guarantee peace, but to purge their governments of criminality will save the people who are now hypnotized by the criminal teachings of these nations. When individuals place their votes upon the people who have righteous views and the courage to stand for Principle in government affairs, there will be no danger of putting criminal politicians into power.

With great moral courage and spiritual endurance, Mrs. Eddy long ago laid bare the secret processes of the carnal mind in its subtler phases. The world is today, through the uncovering of these conditions, reaping the harvest of her sowing under divine guidance. Today, as never before, liberty is acquiring a spiritual significance in human thought. It is breaking the bonds of fear and favor. This liberty cannot be bargained for. It is the crown won by spiritual progress.