Editorial October 22, 1932 Issue

God's Guidance in Government

W. Stuart Booth

Christian Science teaching follows the precept of Christ Jesus that spiritual aims and activities are of paramount importance, and at the same time the practicality of Christian Science is shown in its application to all human problems, including government and its elections. In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 276) we read, "Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy has always believed that those who are entitled to vote should do so, and she has also believed that in such matters no one should seek to dictate the actions of others." Then follows this statement by our Leader: "I am asked, 'What are your politics?' I have none, in reality, other than to help support a righteous government; to love God supremely, and my neighbor as myself." It is natural, therefore, that alert Christian Scientists in every nation should take an active interest in governmental affairs and elections to the end that the kingdom of God, or government of divine Principle, may be established on earth as it is in heaven.

Christian Science is of inestimable value, not only in healing sickness, overcoming sin, and reversing beliefs of limitation, but also in affording divine guidance in connection with every legitimate human activity. When Isaiah foretold the advent of the Christ, manifested by Jesus, he said, "The government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor." The Master comforted and assured his disciples with the promise, or rather with the statement of fact, that the Christ, the "Counsellor," would be present and available always.

Not long after Christ Jesus had left the disciples through his ascension, or complete spiritualization of thought, they had occasion to look to the "Counsellor" for guidance when they held an election to choose a successor to Judas Iscariot. Two of the disciples were nominated, and then at that election time this significant episode occurred, recorded in the book of Acts. The voters—the disciples—"prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen." When the lots were cast, it developed that Matthias was elected. This account of seeking and following divine guidance is both illuminating and inspiring to the conscientious and consistent Christian Scientist who gives heed to governmental affairs in accordance with Mrs. Eddy's clear thought on the subject.

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