Article October 14, 1922 Issue

Government and Citizenship

MARJORIE SHULER

The knowledge of God's government, immutable, immortal, infinite, is one of the greatest gifts which Christian Science bestows upon mankind, because with this uplifted understanding of divine government there comes a higher and truer sense of men and women as citizens. In the practical application of this truth to human needs, there must first be made the declaration that God is the sole governing power, and that spiritual man is ruled by God. Then the meaning of absolute allegiance to divine Principle is unfolded, and the citizen under God's government learns what are the duties and obligations to be fulfilled; in other words, obedience to Principle must be practiced in every activity.

As a citizen, one must constantly be increasing his information about the government of the country of which he is a unit, obtaining exact, definite, concrete facts. Not at rare intervals, but all through the year, he must elect to uphold the right. Policy thus takes on the highest meaning given it by Webster: "Prudence or wisdom in the management of public and private affairs." And partisanship comes to have a richer significance, as the citizen sees himself as an adherent only of God. He learns to make his own demonstrations, instead of relying upon the decisions of others; and to act fearlessly and honestly, in accordance with the dictates of an enlightened conscience. Having this understanding of government and citizenship, the Christian Scientist turns to the administration of the human affairs of his state, and his own participation in them, with a greater appreciation of the rights which are to be upheld, the services which must be rendered, and the freedom and liberty which are to be gained. He realizes the importance of Mrs. Eddy's words in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 222), "Mankind will be God-governed in proportion as God's government becomes apparent, the Golden Rule utilized, and the rights of man and the liberty of conscience held sacred."

Every citizen has certain well-defined duties toward the government of his country, national or community,—ways in which the Golden Rule, "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them," should be utilized, and by which "the rights of man and the liberty of conscience" may be safeguarded. It should be cause for rejoicing to have any part, however small, in fulfilling these duties, in order that the right idea of government and citizenship may be made manifest upon earth.

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