Editorial July 3, 1948 Issue

ARE WE ACCEPTING MAN'S GLORIOUS LIBERTY?

John Randall Dunn

In the old State House in Philadelphia, now called Independence Hall, hangs the famous "Liberty Bell" which rang out the glad tidings of the American colonies' challenge to despotism in 1776. Cast in the bell are the words, "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.—Lev. XXV, 10." Not alone to citizens of the United States but to freedom-loving men and women the world over is this illustrious relic a reminder of man's most precious heritage, the liberty of the sons of God. In a notable passage in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes (p. 227): "Discerning the rights of man, we cannot fail to foresee the doom of all oppression. Slavery is not the legitimate state of man. God made man free. Paul said, 'I was free born.' All men should be free." Then a little farther on she continues: "Citizens of the world, accept the 'glorious liberty of the children of God,' and be free! This is your divine right."

Someone may interpose, "But surely the gaining of one's freedom involves more than mere acceptance of the thesis, does it not?" By all means; and yet acceptance of the fact that God's man, made in the image of the Divine, is eternally unfettered and free is certainly the first step towards the achievement of the liberation.

The story is told of an elephant in a certain zoo so vicious and unruly that his four legs had to be chained to the floor. In the course of time, however, the beast became tractable, and the keepers felt that they could begin to remove his bonds. One by one the chains were taken away, but still the huge animal remained in his accustomed position, swaying from side to side. Finally all four chains were removed, but still that elephant apparently could not recognize and accept his freedom. There he stood, day after day, apparently just as fettered as when he wore the chains. Eventually, of course, he was educated out of the delusion, but this was not brought about for some time.

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