Editorial March 11, 1939 Issue

"Upon his shoulder"

George Shaw Cook

When foretelling the coming of the Messiah, the prophet Isaiah said, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder." These words were addressed to the Israelites of Isaiah's time, but they are applicable today to those who are experiencing the coming to human consciousness of the Christ, Truth, in Christian Science. On page 565 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes: "The impersonation of the spiritual idea had a brief history in the earthly life of our Master; but 'of his kingdom there shall be no end,' for Christ, God's idea, will eventually rule all nations and peoples—imperatively, absolutely, finally—with divine Science."

It is a great thing to understand, even in a degree, that the government, not only of nations, but of groups and of individuals, is "upon his shoulder," that the responsibility of right government rests with Christ, the true or spiritual idea of God. The apprehension of this fact, even in a measure, has lifted the burden of anxiety, doubt, and fear from many a human heart. It has to a great extent freed thousands from a false personal sense of responsibility for the welfare of others.

There is, humanly speaking, a right sense of responsibility and of obligation. Right thinking persons do not shirk their obligations to others. For example, loving parents do not deny their responsibility for the care and right upbringing of their children. Nor do children who are grateful for parental care and guidance deny or disregard their proper obligation to parents.

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