Editorial June 7, 1924 ISSUE

Establishing God's Kingdom

Albert F. Gilmore

In a letter to the First Members of The Mother Church in 1895 (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 147), Mrs. Eddy sets forth somewhat explicitly the duty of an upright man guided by "a fixed Principle." She speaks especially of his obligation to "follow the road of duty, according as Truth and the voice of his conscience" point the way for him; and she describes the one so governed as the "trusty friend, the affectionate relative, the conscientious man of business, the pious worker, the public-spirited citizen." By the term "public-spirited citizen" one may justifiably conclude that she implies that person who recognizes, respects, and does his civic duty according to his ideals. The Christian Scientist, to whom has been revealed the Christ-ideal, above all others should most effectually perform his civic duty under the guidance and direction of divine Principle. He above all others understands the rule and operation of God's government.

A Christian Scientist should be in no doubt as to his duty faithfully to discharge all obligations entailed upon him by reason of his citizenship. Our Leader always and invariably admonishes students of Christian Science to do their full duty as citizens. The Scriptural injunctions are also to the same purport. Paul, arrested in Jerusalem and threatened by the mob, did not hesitate to appeal to his rights as a citizen of Tarsus, which, with a show of civic pride, he denominated as "no mean city." Is it not fair to conclude that since Paul resorted to the privilege of citizenship for protection, he also recognized its duties and obligations? The Pharisees attempting to confuse and entrap Jesus brought to him a coin of the realm. When he questioned them as to the image and superscription it bore, they declared it to be Cæsar's; Jesus followed with the admonition to pay to Cæsar what belonged to him, but to render unto God what belonged to God. It seems by no means a false interpretation of this passage to conclude that the Master was urging respect to constituted law, adherence to the civil code, as a part of civic duty, however unfair and irksome he may have held Roman law to be.

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"The royal law"
June 7, 1924
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