Editorial July 1, 1961 Issue

Dependent on God—Independent of Matter

John J. Selover

A newspaper, The Spirit of 'Seventy-Six, published in Washington, District of Columbia, near the beginning of the nineteenth century, had as its motto: "A frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is essential to the liberties of a republic." Even as the spirit of independence was emphasized by thus advising a recurrence "to fundamental principles" at a time when the United States was finding its stride among great nations, so is a resort to God, divine Principle, essential today to one's freedom from every form of enslavement, according to the teachings of Christian Science. Sin, disease, and discord disappear as Principle is understood and demonstrated in our lives.

The desire of many for freedom from the oppressive control of others seems to be stirring in human hearts everywhere today. However, separation of one group of people from another has not always proved to be the quickest way to the achievement of a genuine degree of liberty. Nations, as well as individuals, often maintain virtual independence and grow through the means of united action based on mutual agreement. The craving for independence from some less desirable situation may well induce such an agreement. As long as the agreement is kept intact by both parties, there is a sense of freedom, harmony, and progress.

The spirit of independence strikes out particularly against discordant alliances—against involuntary submission to disturbing conditions or to oppressive control by other nations or peoples. When the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot strove together, apparently because of insufficient grazing land for both as a united group, they parted company on friendly terms.

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