Article January 1, 1916 Issue

Citizenship

H. FARMER HALL

When the nations of the earth groan under the burden of war, and on all sides we hear of heroic deeds and self-sacrifice, one can but be impressed with the patriotism and devotion which impels the citizens of those countries. At such a time it is perhaps natural that Christian Scientists should seriously consider what duties are involved in the call of true citizenship and patriotism, for thus a helpful and scientific attitude of thought may be maintained.

Humanity has been generally inclined to base its claim to citizenship on a question of birth. The country in which a man is born determines his citizenship, and by the very nature of things material, an individual's convictions, aims, and ideals have been looked upon as qualities of citizenship, rather than that which constitutes a basis for the fact itself. Though perhaps not generally recognized, it is nevertheless true that to be a native of any country can never really of itself entitle a man to be accredited a citizen or patriot, for such terms entail the necessity of willing conformity to the laws and ideals of that country, and one who is lacking in this respect can be neither a true patriot nor a true citizen.

If such a statement as the foregoing is correct, it is evident that a man whose concepts of law and government are not in consonance with the country to which he belongs by birth,—such a one ceases in truth to be a citizen of that country, and perforce takes upon himself citizenship in that other country in which his ideals of government are put into practice. Here we have an interesting proposition that every Christian Scientist will do well to consider. The Science of Christianity has come into our lives, purifying thought, uplifting ideals, giving clearer judgment and higher aims, until each one who has honestly applied these truths to his daily living has gradually found that old concepts have been swept away, and "behold, all things are become new." The views which he had entertained in the past with regard to God and man have been replaced by those which belong not to any human ideals but are drawn from another realm, whose government is spiritual and whose laws are divine.

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