Editorial February 11, 1928 Issue

Man's Rights

Ella W. Hoag

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 106) Mrs. Eddy writes: "God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love;" and she adds, "Man's rights are invaded when the divine order is interfered with, and the mental trespasser incurs the divine penalty due this crime." Mrs. Eddy has herein stated a veritable "bill of rights," which all the world must finally accept and conform to in all its completeness.

This pronouncement of our beloved Leader inspires every true Christian Scientist with inexpressible gratitude, since all recognize that to understand and demonstrate the mighty truths here enunciated not only will free us from all evil, but will usher us into the very heaven of Soul, where the bliss of God's perfect government prevails. No one can, therefore, give too much time and attention to assimilating and practicing what these richly pregnant words of our Leader set forth, and God's blessing must rest on every honest effort to demonstrate them.

It may seem to be a natural thing to thank God for the "inalienable rights" of "self-government, reason, and conscience;" but how many of us stop to consider just what these rights imply in both opportunity and responsibility? How often do we thank God for them in the way most acceptable to Him, namely, by using them under His direct and perfect guidance? To exercise that self-control which never rushes forth obedient to self-will and other personal tendencies, but which, instead, bases its every action in the reasoning power of a divinely bestowed conscience, is indeed to be guided by Truth and Love; for may not this conscience which God bestows be said to be but another name for the ability to discern between right and wrong, between good and evil?

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