The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-04-13
Disarmament

4 T THE present time much Is
n heard about disarmament. To
the world in general the word
means the act of disarming, as by
reducing the military or naval force
of nations. AS the years pass, it is
being learned that this taking away
or lessening of material sense of
power is not in itself capable of
bringing peace. Yet is not peace
what the people of the whole world
are seeking? The realization of har-
mony can never be gained while the
thoughts of men are filled with envy,
hatred, and suspicion. If fear could
be eliminated from the thoughts of
men, then the host of evil beliefs,
expressed in malice, jealousy, and the
like, would disappear.
Suppose the right way of thinking,
with the consequent blotting out of
thoughts of hate, should spread until
for the whole human family all sense
of hatred had been destroyed What
change would have come over the
world! Indeed, to disarm men of the
evil mode of thinking would bring
about the peaceful attitude of nations
towards one another which people SO
much desire.
As nations are aggregations Of
people, each individual in the nations
must disarm his own thought of fear
and hatred. This true disarmament
is not material, but spiritual. If we
really desire to have no need for
arms, we must begin with ourselves
and control our own thoughts.
Those who have learned through
the teachings of Christian Science
that man is the reflection of divine
Love, God, the creator of all that is
real, must live consistently with this
teaching. They must refuse to think
or express thoughts which include
hatred. What will be the result? The
love expressed In their thinking will
be felt by all with whom they asso-
ciate.
For those who have the correct
understanding of Truth, now, not to-
morrow or next week, Ia the time for
them to begin by right thinking to
help disarm the world of its fears.
One may say: What good can my
thoughts do for the world? am only
one standing against the widespread
belief in the power of evil" Studying
the life-example of Christ Jesus, we
find that he was as one against the
world. Were his right knowing, right
thinking, and right acting in vain?
Are we truly his followers when we
are not endeavoring to fulfill his mis-
sion? Was not this mission to bring
to light peace, good will, universal
love? The three years of his glorious
healing ministry were filled by him
in showing the world, for all time,
how to disarm itself of all error. AS
In the time of Jesus envy, hatred,
and malice were aroused by his dem
onstrations of the truth, so at this
period, Mary Baker Eddy writes
Miscellaneous Writings, p. 134),
Error is only fermenting, and its
heat Kissing at the still. small voice
of Truth; but it can neither silence
nor disarm Gods voice."
Joshua and his band were not dis
couraged because the walls of Jericho
did not fall at once. 1t was necessary
that the army should march around
the walls each day, for six days, and
on the seventh day seven times. And
not only did the people march to-
gether, but before the walls fell they
shouted as with one voice. By the
individual recognition that the real
man reflects only Truth and Love,
so-called mortal mind is denied, and
its false beliefs of envy, jealousy,
suspicion. hatred, and fear are de-
stroyed. Love is supreme. The
Psalmist realized that men have the
power to resist evil when he said,
1.-THE counsel of the Lord standeth
for ever. the thoughts of his heart
to all generations" The counsel of
the all-knowing Mind can and will
guide men Alright as they give up
self-will and surrender to God, Truth
1.-THE thoughts of his heart" are
thoughts of peace. Are we listening
to these spiritual thoughts or ideas
of peace and harmony, or are we be-
lieving that hate and fear are irresist-
ible? 1t is for each individual to
answer Alright this vital question: