Editorial July 3, 1948 Issue

THE HERITAGE OF FREEDOM

L. Ivimy Gwalter

Instinctively almost everyone feels he has a right to freedom. All the unrest of the world stems from the human yearning thereafter, yet material definitions of freedom and of ways and means of acquiring and preserving it vary according to the ideals of the individual or the nation. Actually what each is seeking is unrestrained self-expression, alias the fulfillment of good in his experience. Yet all too often the belief prevails that bondage and restriction are imposed from without by persons or circumstances over which one has no control. The acceptance of this belief leads to rebellion on the part of the individual and to war on the part of nations.

Christ Jesus came preaching and proving man's God-bestowed heritage of freedom. He pointed out that the kingdom of God, with all its glorious possibilities and unrestricted joy, is "within you" (Luke17:21)—hence is to be found in Mind through the reflection of Mind. Furthermore, he said (John 8:31, 32), "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Clearly he indicated that the way to freedom was not through aggression, oppression, or domination, not through selfishness, ease, or self-love, but through the discipline of true discipleship, that is, through alert, unswerving obedience to the truth or Science which he presented, evidenced in individual self-purification, spiritualization of thought, and demonstration of divine Principle. The Apostle Paul admonished (Gal. 5:1), "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

In words that glow with inspiration Mary Baker Eddy describes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" the spiritual significance of freedom and her purpose of bringing to mankind liberation from the self-imposed bondage of its enslaving beliefs (see page 224, line 28, through page 228, line 27). With the courage of conviction she shows that God, divine Love, is the only power, and that it is the infringement of a belief of mortal mind and not of a law of God that causes penalty. Under the caption "Cramping systems" she writes (p. 226): "Human codes, scholastic theology, material medicine and hygiene, fetter faith and spiritual understanding. Divine Science rends asunder these fetters, and man's birthright of sole allegiance to his Maker asserts itself."

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