Article March 19, 1910 Issue

DEMOCRACY AND CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

REV. CHARLES D. REYNOLDS.

That democracy, or rule by majorities, is the most advantageous system for the administration of human affairs, providing the people are prepared for it, no one seriously questions. It is not claimed for this system that it is best because majorities are always right, or nearer the perfect ideal of which all serious-minded men must be more or less conscious, than are minorities, but because democracy demands of every member composing a body the free and unobstructed exercise of all his faculties. It demands the use of intelligent observation and power to draw correct and logical conclusions, and enables every member to be of assistance to his neighbor by giving him the benefit of his observation and deductions. Thus, through the mutual cooperation of all included in the fellowship, a happy average of conviction results, to the support of which all contribute. By voluntary consent they have pledged themselves to sustain and enforce the judgment of the majority and await developments.

Sometimes it happens, within a body governing itself democratically, that a clique is formed in opposition to the sense of the majority, having a standard different from that followed by the majority. Sometimes this is justified by the plausible argument that the ideals and line of action represented by the majority are not high enough, that the standard is so unideal that the minority, to maintain the dignity and purity of their own thought and the cause at large, feel themselves called upon to resist the standard represented by the majority and substitute therefor their own alleged higher standard. Whatever argument may be put forth in justification of this course, it is certain that it is unscientific, and has no rightful place as a part of legitimate democracy.

Sometimes the argument is made by those who claim that they see the truth or right way so much clearer than that which is represented by the majority, that they cannot work harmoniously in fellowship with them, since by so doing they would hazard the loss of their higher and purer light, and so be dragged down and injured. This argument also, when rightly examined, shows itself to be faulty and unworthy of those who have accepted democracy as presented and practically applied in the teaching of Christian Science. One who knows himself to be in advance of others, is in a position to advise and help, not to criticize or tear down. One who is certain, moreover, of the superiority of his position over the majority, is in the unique place of one who can perform invaluable services to others, if he will avail himself of his opportunities. If the vision of some is indistinct, it their ideals are obscure and low, and another's vision is strong and clear, his heart firm and fearless and loving, then he will make excellent company for his struggling brothers. To him is assigned the work to which Jesus referred when he said, "Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister."

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