Editorial March 23, 1918 Issue

"A great freedom for the race"*

William P. McKenzie

At the dedication of The Mother Church in 1895, passages were read from the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." One sentence from the Christian Science textbook seemed then to have a sonorous tone, stirring and compelling like the sound of the trumpets of silver blown by the sons of Aaron "for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps." It has sounded its note of warning and promise through the years, and to-day as never before brings encouragement. "He takes away mitre and sceptre" (Science and Health, p. 571), was the sentence. It follows what the author of the textbook has written about divine Science "outshining sin, sorcery, lust, and hypocrisy." To-day when these four "principalities and powers," or claims of evil, would especially seek to darken the minds of men, let us turn to "the glory that excelleth," knowing that paganism is after all as the night, and Christianity triumphant is as the sun shining in his strength. Let us be glad that with man's enlightenment through Christian Science and his acceptance of "pure religion and undefiled" he shall know himself to be free, neither suffering from the materialistic control of miter and scepter, nor desiring to subordinate others by their means.

It cannot be said too often that true government must first be within, due to recognition of Principle. Then it will be manifested in the world as "the glorious liberty of the children of God." Setting forth the ideal of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy says (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 94): "I am persuaded that only by the modesty and distinguishing affection illustrated in Jesus' career, can Christian Scientists aid the establishment of Christ's kingdom on the earth. In the first century of the Christian era Jesus' teachings bore much fruit, and the Father was glorified therein. In this period and the forthcoming centuries, watered by dews of divine Science, this 'tree of life' will blossom into greater freedom, and its leaves will be 'for the healing of the nations.'"

Those who came to this country as pilgrims were seeking individual rights, and were in their hearts worshipers of God, even if evidence proved that ignorantly they worshiped Him. Their coming was a stage of progress and manifestation of freedom, and although conflicts followed in order that individual rights might be further secured, there came at last the time when by virtue of her own deliverance and healing, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, was able to say to her contemporaries, as Paul said to the Athenians, "Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you," because she was able to present the absolute basis, not simply for the freedom of a group, a church, or a nation, but for the freedom of all mankind.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

The Second Commandment