Article June 7, 1930 Issue

Asserting Our Prerogative

LOULIE ATKINSON SNEAD

To every earnest student of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy's careful use of words is cause for increasing wonder and deepening gratitude. He probably studies her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," with frequent reference to an adequate dictionary; and by such twofold study he finds his own ability to express the truth greatly enhanced, and also observes how carefully our Leader chose the words with which to express to the hungering thought the truth that makes free.

In a recent Lesson-Sermon occurred the following reference (Science and Health, p. 253): "Knowing the falsity of so-called material sense, you can assert your prerogative to overcome the belief in sin, disease, or death." For several days in her study a student read that reference without feeling that she need turn to a dictionary for further illumination of its meaning. Then through the pressure of a problem she was led to look up the meaning of the word "prerogative." Among other definitions she found this: "A right to exercise a power or privilege in priority to, or to the exclusion of, others; ... specif., an official and hereditary right which may be asserted without question, and for the exercise of which there is no responsibility or accountability, except to the sovereign power, as to the fact and the manner of its exercise."

At once came a flood of light on her problem and on her work in general. To what "power or privilege" did our Leader make reference in bidding men assert their right to overcome the evils of mortal belief? This definition makes it clear that the power must be one that is inherent in spiritual man, and belongs to every individual by reason of his spiritual sonship. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." So the beloved disciple sums up the glorious revelation of man's true selfhood which the Way-shower brought to mankind. In these few words he makes clear the inalienable right which everyone may assert "without question" and without "responsibility or accountability, except to the sovereign power."

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