Editorial December 13, 1919 Issue

Dominion and Power of Spirit

William P. McKenzie

When in the history of a country an epoch is marked by the coming to the throne of a new dynasty, time is frequently dated from the accession of this ruling house. Likewise in the human life a new era begins, in effect like a new creation, when there is accession of spirituality. Of this Mrs. Eddy says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 204), "Through the accession of spirituality, God, the divine Principle of Christian Science, literally governs the aims, ambition, and acts of the Scientist."

The enthronement of divine Principle, which is Love, means the dethronement forever of the carnal mind, whose characteristic is the reverse of love, or hostility to love, described by Paul as "enmity against God." Fleshly beliefs are of course hostile to all that is spiritual, and so they are insubordinate to divine law; they are "not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Consequently when one becomes obedient to the law of Spirit his former manner of life ends and a new kind of life is known, even that life manifested in Christ Jesus; "for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

Human beings have suffered much, not only from pagan theories but from various misconceivings of Christianity. The Master found his disciples slow to apprehend his true mission. They wanted power and self-magnification, and reached an undue point of self-glorification when they wanted to call down upon a village of the Samaritans the destruction of fire because the people would not make preparations to entertain them. Quietly he, their teacher, checked their ardor. He is credited with saying to them: "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Manifestly Christianity could not be established by the thumbscrew and the boot, by rack or tourniquet. The hideous torture of human beings in the name of religion indicates always the design of human will to enthrone itself in power and to control others through fear. Exactly opposite to this is religion itself, because true religion unfolds to each individual the righteous government of God. Of the effects of this government Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellany, p. 189), "The government of divine Love derives its omnipotence from the love it creates in the heart of man; for love is allegiant, and there is no loyalty apart from love."

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