What Peace Means

"What Peace Means" by Henry Van Dyke is a series of early twentieth-century sermons that reflect on peace after World War I. This collection looks closely at peace, both personally and worldwide, and how spiritual elements shape what peace truly means. Van Dyke looks at the troubles of his time, pointing out that inner peace is needed to make the world more peaceful. He offers three different sermons that each tackle peace from a different direction: "Peace in the Soul" talks about how love, control, and forgiveness are the basis for finding personal peace; "Peace on Earth Through Righteousness" says that fairness is key to creating lasting peace, especially after a war; and "The Power of an Endless Life" suggests that hope for life after death is essential for achieving real peace. These sermons convince readers to seek peace within themselves in order to help create a more peaceful world, connecting the idea that personal and global peace are linked.