Article March 23, 1935 Issue

Government

VIRGINIA HARRIS BALEY

"The Lord God omnipotent reigneth." This profound statement recorded in the book of Revelation is John's inspired declaration of God's government of the universe. The divine rule of omnipotence assuredly is all, and therefore no other basis of government is possible.

However, until the discovery of Christian Science by Mary Baker Eddy the practical truth of John's revelation of God's government was but vaguely discerned. Through her spiritual perception that Mind is supreme, our revered Leader makes clear the great fact of existence, namely, that God's government is the only government. On page 171 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she states that "Mind's control over the universe, including man, is no longer an open question, but is demonstrable Science." Mind being all, there can be no other real control or influence. Mortal mind does not report facts to us, but seems to project the lie that we are involved in problems of human control and temporal government. No matter what disconcerting appearances suggest themselves in relation to government—municipal, state, or national—the fact is that divine Principle, omnipresent good, is the real source of government. God knows no opposition to Himself; therefore man, His image, knows no opposition to good. God, good, knows only His own presence and His own law.

A decisive example of the supremacy of God's government in human affairs is related in the familiar narrative of Daniel's deliverance from the lions' den through his understanding of God's control over all. Because Daniel knew how to think aright, he was able to declare to King Darius, "O king, live for ever." The Christ, Truth, which he maintained in his thinking, released Daniel from the belief that there is a power or presence apart from God. So free was he from any resentment against the king and his associates, and so clear was his realization of Love's omnipresence and his own indestructibility as the likeness of infinite Mind, that he emerged unhurt from the lions' den, and proved the God whom he worshiped to be omnipotent. In thus gaining a measure of salvation for himself, Daniel blessed all in that kingdom who were receptive to good.

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