Progressive Evolution

The War, you know, is only a faint reflection of the real conflict here, where elements can be wielded with a force appalling to us who are still among the non-combatants. You see, here we are having the long deferred struggle which seems to occur at stated intervals in the history of the world's evolution.

Now and again there seem to evolve two separate forces here which appear to be in direct opposition. What generates the darker half or evil of life we cannot tell from where we look on. In the larger plan of life it must be only a logical part of the human or soul's evolution. Our vision here is too limited to see the causes or larger plan, which makes these occasional titanic struggles necessary and bright, or at least, only a phase of the normal action and reaction of life forces.

To us, here where we can see, a seething mass of souls desperately struggling for seeming existence, it is difficult to keep our mental poise and realise that there is nothing but good, which always conquers. This lesson has been taught us from a hundred different angles, that it might enter and arouse our minds against all sorts of apparent conflicting facts, and in order that we should always believe so firmly in the power of good as to be, in a way, impregnable to any contrary idea.

This vast, worldwide struggle is a part of the plan of evolution. In the processes of all growth there are always generated elements or forces which when occurring in larger quantities than necessary, must be eliminated from the body of matter, as is true in your physical bodies. You generate in the processes of digestion, for instance, certain acids and gases which are essential to the manufacture of blood and bodily tissue. When these products are manufactured in excess there is a general disturbance all through the system, necessitating drastic measures for the prevention of destructive results. Then some disagreeable but quite necessary acute disease ensues, and destroys the superabundant poisonous acids, and an equilibrium is restored.

We feel that law is consistent and holds good all along the line, and all we need to understand it is to observe its working carefully at any minor point. Force is a most necessary element in progressive evolution, yet force carries with it certain destructive elements such as the selfish lust of power which is born of arrogance, which is also a child of ability or capacity. When any soul has the capacity to achieve, he also has the latent desire to rule, to dominate. The greatest thing we can conceive is a soul which has the capacity for achievement, and with it humility, sympathy, and love. This seems to be the mark of the perfected human soul. One must have force and individual capacity, or there is no forward movement, but force must learn that even it yields to the higher law. The meek shall inherit the earth because with the pride of power goes the element of self-destruction.

Watch your view of war. Germany has the force and the arrogance. She must learn the subsequent lesson of humility and service. Force is blind and so can only be taught by the means it can comprehend. We feel there is now enough unselfish love on earth to save the weak from annihilation. Up here we join all our forces to strengthen the line of opposing love. We have no doubts as to the ultimate issue. Hughey has gone to throw all he possesses of light into the dark struggle, caused by ignorance, he thinks. Where the light shines, the truth can be perceived and the struggle ceases. Love and intelligence are one. No one breaks the Law who realises the futility of such an act. When anyone or any nation fails to realise the common brotherhood of nations he is ignorant of the Law, and so liable to the penalty.

We rise or fall as a common whole, not in isolated groups. Each, by his habitual thought, allies himself with either the lifters, or the drags. See to it that you guard carefully your every thought, that you may do your part in the enlightening of the world. The Law acts with you as with us. Tee and you both must absolutely eliminate all destructive ideas and emotions for the good of the whole, incidentally only for your own. The chain is just as strong as its weakest link. You and he are both links, and upon each depends far more than any realise. Live your own lives well because this living—and by this living I mean mental life as well—affects all other souls, both below and above. If the integrity of a single atom can affect a universe then imagine what damage a selfish, disordered, gloomy mind can do. We belong to the brotherhood of man. Let us be sure we can qualify for that fraternity.

Conflict such as is raging now is terrible, but hopeful too, for it means a purifying of the body of the earth; a fresh start on a higher plane. The surplus force and the destructive energy will spend itself. Then what remains will have learned a great lesson, viz.: the futility of struggle and the hopelessness of trying to conquer by force. The Germans never really conquered France. To do that they should have shown brotherly love and sympathy, as we did to the Southern army when conquered. Without friendship, without sympathy, none ever really conquers. Will the conquerors now learn that? Will they rejoice at another's increase in trade, in art, or in science? Will they really learn to be brothers? We shall see. This is the real issue: the conquering of jealousy and selfish greed. All must learn to live and let live. We call on all to do their part. Let us belong to the glad volunteers, giving our best freely and fully. Our best in this case is a steadfast optimism in the good on all planes of life. Faith in all that lifts the mass of ignorant life, faith in our own share of that work, belief in our ability to master material conditions, to do our work in the best way. Faith, not in ourselves as geniuses, but as fit instruments for human betterment.

Helen