The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-05-11
Settling Disputes

TT is strange thing that men
often resort to strife first and
n reason afterwards in their efforts
to settle disputes. Misunderstood
ings, jealousy, envy, self-justifica-
ton, and the like are corrected not
through strife, but through reason
and amicable agreement. Wars are
not means of securing such an
agreement; but after the use OF bay
onet and gun has ceased, and reason
begins to bring about peaceful rela-
tons, then disputes are settled.
The ages have furnished historical
data which prove that material am
billions and possessions afford no
sound basis for peace, in either ma
tional or personal relations. Matter,
being limited in its nature, expresses
the belief of limitation in its every
manifestation. Instead of making one
great, trust in matter Weakens one
who relies upon it; and what this re-
lance does to individuals it does to
nations. One right thinking individ-
uaI is more valuable to world peace
than millions of wrong thinkers. Re-
ferring to this individual Importance,
Mary Baker Eddy has written
in pulpit and Press" Up. Az: You
have simply to preserve a scientific,
positive sense of unity with your di-
vine source, and daily demonstrate
this. Then you will lind that one is
as important a factor as duodeciilions
in being and doing right, and thus
demonstrating deiiic Principle.
little farther on she quotes, Zone on
God side is a majority.
AS the spokes of a wagon wheel
get nearer the hub, they get nearer
to each other: so is it with men; as
they get closer to God in thought,
they get closer to one another. The
divine plan is impartial and blesses
all alike who obey its laws Of action.
Love does not grant special favors,
nor restrict legitimate progress;
neither does it provide for such reg
ulations through the material agen-
cies commonly known as implements
of warfare. The words of our Mas
ter, who came to fulfill the law, not
to destroy, are as significant today
as when they We're spoken to Peter
after he had drawn his sword and
cut off the ear of the servant of the
high priest: Put up again thy sword
into his place: for all they that take
the sword shall perish with the
sword. Then, as ii in holy benedic
ton. he turned Peters thought from
matter to the infinite source of all
good by asking, "Thinkest thou that
| cannot now pray to my Father, and
he shall presently give me more than
twelve legions of angels?"
During the last quarter of a cen
fury was witnessed the most vicious
and widespread combat ever fought,
and today there is crying need for
assurances of peace, and univer-
sally acceptable basis for the settle
ment of disputes. Spurred on by what
it calls national defense policies, the
human race has become engaged in
the provision of drastic material
methods of self-preseryation
But that which counteracts "all
evil" comes from the divine Mind,
not from the lannon's mouth. When
animality gives way to brotherly love,
and trustWorthiness takes the place
of dependence upon bruth strength,
the desire to rule ones neighbor
through force or cunning will cease.
1t is the nature of Gods law to ele-
vate, not suppress, the human race;
to give life, and not to take it. His
law holds universal jurisdiction over
all points Of eq lity, and His angels
bestoW all blessedness on those who
obey His law. AS one becomes better
acquainted with the demands of Gi-
vine Mind, one begins to settle per
sonal disputes by first correcting
ones own thought. Starting with
God, the source of all intelligence
and good, one may establish friendly
relations with others, for there is
but one common origin and basis OF
all harmonious action.
Intelligence has already estab-
lished an impartial and wholly prac-
teal answer to all questions; and
when the entire human family sub
mits to Gods government, there will
be no cause for distrust, fear, OF
strife, and there will be no unsettled
disputes among men. Then will the
prophecy of Isaiah be fulfilled, name
ly: THE mountain of the Lords
house shall be established in the tor
of the mountains, and shall be ex
allied above the hills; and all nations
shall flow unto it. II. And they
shall beat their swords into pillow
shares, and their spears into prun
inghooks: nation shall not lift up
sword against nation, neither SHAH
they learn war any more. The
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