Article June 9, 1928 Issue

Joyful Dominion

NELLIE B. MACE

Christian Scientists have a great fondness for the word "dominion," because it indicates to them God's unalterable bestowal upon spiritual man of freedom, freedom from submission to aught but the authority of infinite Spirit. More often than otherwise, possibly, Christian Scientists think of dominion as signifying power, reflected authority over all manner of conditions, or as enduring control, steadfast strength. This meaning is incalculably valuable; for, since God is omnipotence, spiritual man necessarily reflects the omnipotent Mind. And the assurance of the real man's reflected power brings to human consciousness priceless encouragement in the endeavor to overcome obstacles and inharmonies, and to achieve the realization of holy harmony which spiritual power definitely signifies.

There is, however, a very beautiful phase of dominion which Christian Scientists need, perhaps, more sedulously to cultivate. Among the innumerable types of thought over which God gave man dominion was the "fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven." In her spiritual interpretation of this Scripture Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 511, 512), "The fowls, which fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven, correspond to aspirations soaring beyond and above corporeality to the understanding of the incorporeal and divine Principle, Love." Since spiritual dominion must surely be the God-bestowed ability to reflect perfectly the divine qualities, the only possible dominion that one can thus attain must consist in conscious realization of the priceless quality that can not only aspire but actually soar in spiritual thought, "beyond and above corporeality to the understanding of the incorporeal and divine Principle, Love." And the bird not only soars, but sings! The lark sends out his liquid melody on the wing. The robin chirps his tune regardless of the chill of early spring. The nightingale makes of night a golden melody, and dawn records veritable choruses of full-throated ecstasies! The happy manner in which the bird fulfills his destiny surely symbolizes the element of joyousness, of the exultant bliss which characterizes spiritual man's dominion.

This soaring, singing quality has always accompanied the demonstrations of spiritual power in the progress of the human race toward the light of Truth. This is seen again and again throughout the Bible, from the song of Moses to the great new song of Revelation. It was when thought soared in prayer and confidence and achievement that Miriam and Moses sang praises to God, the strong Deliverer. It was when the faithful "began to sing and to praise" that the enemies of Judah were self-destroyed before the triumphant worshipers of the one God. The Psalmist sings repeatedly of uplifting faith and joy. He bids men come before God's presence with singing. And Isaiah foresaw that the "redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away."

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