Article August 15, 1925 Issue

Equality

JULIA SALOME KINNEY

Wealth —using the term as relating to material possessions—is one of the things mankind has continually sought to have more equally distributed. In an effort to bring about financial equality, new laws are constantly being enacted, new methods of taxation tried, and sometimes even new forms of government are set up. Looking back over the history of the world, however, one finds that extremes of poverty and wealth have continued to exist; and that this condition, following civilization, is confined to no place, time, or form of government. Even under the highest forms of democracy, which aims to provide equal opportunity for all and unmistakably lessens class distinction, there still remain those who suffer from want and others who are surfeited with wealth. Health also seems to be a blessing most unequally shared, some being strong and robust, while others are weak and infirm. To correct this condition physicians study diseases and their causes, and seek to have enacted such legislation as, in their opinion, will lesson the liability of disease, and raise the standard of health. As yet, however, health seems far from being equally distributed.

Glancing over humanity's fruitless struggle to bring about greater financial, physical, political, and social equality, feeling keenly the sting of injustice that seems to dominate in the affairs of mankind, one is finally led to ask, What is the object in this inequality and partiality? Why are some favored with great riches, some with exhaustive knowledge, some with good health, some with a large measure of popularity, a few enjoying several of these blessings while others are deprived of them all? Is God responsible for this condition?

These are pertinent questions, to which Christian Science alone can give an intelligent answer, because this Science reveals the fact that God is divine Mind, and that creation consists of His perfect ideas. Mrs. Eddy's writings show that God gives His ideas ideas. all equally, and that when these ideas are rightly valued and utilized they enable one to acquire all that is essential to well-being. In the light of this teaching, Jesus' words, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth," rebuke the desire for material possessions; while his admonition, "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven," emphasizes the need for gaining right ideas. When such qualities of divine Mind as justice, mercy, honesty, forgiveness, are cultivated, they are found to be currency capable of purchasing joy, freedom, and happiness that is not ephemeral but enduring and eternal.

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