Article May 5, 1917 Issue

Our Responsibilities

HENRY D. NUNN

It is the glory of Christian Science that it is equal to every human need. Our Leader's inspiring proclamation of the law that "one infinite God ... annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,—whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes" (Science and Health, p. 340), necessarily implies that Christian Scientists will more and more be called into the arena of public affairs, there to apply this law to social and political problems and to prove its all embracing scope. But as special preparation is essential to the successful prosecution of any important undertaking, so must there be preparation to engage effectively in social and political reform work. Even so slight a share in government as is involved in casting a ballot at election time, especially in communities which permit voters to pass judgment directly upon measures instead of upon men, cannot be creditably borne without thoughtful preparation.

The spiritual awakening which accompanies true healing quickens the sympathy of every Christian Scientist for right and justice in every field, and he lacks not, therefore, the willingness to support the right, though at every step he needs to know what makes for right and how to support it. There are organized movements of every conceivable sort, ranging from national political parties and international peace societies to local charity clubs, and it requires more than casual consideration on the individual's part, and a more trustworthy guidance than ordinary newspapers supply, to enable him to choose even the lesser of two evils.

What part, if any, the Scientists should take in helping to find the line of progress toward the ultimate realization of right and justice in collective affairs, is of course a question for each individual to decide for himself. But every earnest follower of Christ, Truth, will naturally desire to free himself from the bias of mere prejudice or of blind and unthinking partizanship. He will not be satisfied to hold rigid opinions without clear reasons to support them, and he will not wittingly favor or oppose measures or policies merely because his father did.

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