Peace ANNA C. WYETH Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. — John 14:27          As on a calm summer day, all nature seems to express perfect peace, so do Christian Scientists express this God-given peace, not only in their lives, but in their faces as well. This is becoming so noticeable that it impresses strangers attending our services.          A guest in a western hotel gave one of the servants a Christian Science Journal. The girl lost the Journal, but did not lose the memory of the look of peace on that lady's face. Years afterwards she met with another Scientist, and her first remark was, "What makes the difference between you and other people? Do all Christian Scientists look happy?"          What is this peace which the Master so preeminently expressed in his earthly career and left as a gift to his followers? Peace is the result of a constant realization of the fact that God (Good) is the only power in the universe. All discords of mind or body result from consciously or unconsciously giving power to evil or error — the supposed opposite of Good. When we realize that man is God's reflection, then the deflections of mortal mind do not affect us; hence this peace that passeth understanding.          Jesus said, "Not as the world giveth, give I unto you." We have all tried earth-given peace, which is subject to, and at the mercy of, material conditions. That peaceful summer day changes in a moment. Dark clouds gather, the storm breaks, leaving desolation when peace seemed to reign supreme. Mortal mind, basking in the sunshine of prosperity, is startled at the sudden change in the mental atmosphere, and cries out, "Peace, peace;" but there is no peace; but above the din and roar we hear, "My peace give I unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you."          But, one asks, "Do not Christian Scientists have any trials, disappointments, or sorrow?" Yes, these claims present themselves, but if Scientists are living the Science and not merely professing it, fear, anxiety, worry, and grief will not tarry with them. The fact that we have found Principle, does not work out our problems any more than the principle of mathematics saves the learner from working out the problems in the book; but, if the student understands the principle, he does not worry or fret about the problems, for he can work them out and be sure of the result. The more difficult the problem, the greater the faithfulness required — not the greater amount of fear and anxiety. We have problems to work daily, and we cannot shirk them, or get someone else to work them for us, but as Paul says, "Work out your own salvation," never fearing, for have we not the promise "All things work together for good to them that love God."          How often we see children playing that they are surrounded by the very conditions which cause their elders so much trouble. Why is not the little girl anxious and careworn over her many housewifely duties? Because they are not realities to her. Cannot we, children of a larger growth, always remembering what "reality" is, become as a little child, and thus inherit the kingdom of Heaven, "the reign of harmony'' (Science and Health, p. 590, line 1).          Christian Science has not only healed people of disease, but it has lifted thousands from a life of fretfulness, anxiety, discontent, and despair to a realization of joy, happiness, and peace.   "Peace" by Anna C. Wyeth The Christian Science Journal, February, 1899

 

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