Editorial October 10, 1908 Issue

CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP

Archibald McLellan

A good many Christian Scientists appear to be at a loss to decide what is their duty in regard to politics,—what they should do and how much they should do as individuals in the way of taking part in national, state, and municipal elections; but it would seem that these questions should not be difficult of answer.

Plainly it is the duty of every citizen to participate in the government of his country, and he is the best citizen who most carefully, prayerfully, and punctually exercises his right of suffrage. This does not mean that the admittedly undesirable in political methods shall be perpetuated, nor that blind and unreasoning partisanship should govern the actions of any one. Right thinking and right acting must be paramount in the domain of public as well as personal affairs; and in order to bring about this condition, rightly directed individual effort is required. The people who stand for civic righteousness and just and equitable laws and their impartial administration, cannot delegate their duty in this regard to those who are not actuated by unselfish motives.

It is incumbent on every good citizen to do his share toward the election to public office of men of unselfish motives and sterling integrity, for just and wise laws and their fearless administration are essential to the general welfare. Consistent Christian Scientists are well qualified to perform this duty, and the plea that they do not approve of methods now in vogue, or that the heat and turmoil of the ordinary political campaign is distasteful to them, is not a valid excuse. To stand aloof will not cure the evils of the partisan and corrupt methods which have so often been justly criticized. If practical politics are not what they should be, the blame lies largely with those who decry present methods without taking active steps to correct them. Ambition and selfish desire for private gain have no place in the ideal social condition, and there must be individual and concerted effort on the part of public-spirited citizens to secure their elimination from civic affairs,—a condition which can be accomplished not only through casting one's ballot for the best men who have been nominated, but also through active participation in the "primary" processes by which the nomination of the best men can be secured.

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