Those who are acquainted with the founding of the United States of America are impressed by the Christian ideals that inspired the framing of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Any attempt to subvert these ideals would be an attempt to undermine the moral and spiritual foundation upon which this nation is built.

The strong religious sentiment of the American people is a bulwark against the encroachment of atheistic, or nonreligious, tendencies that would either vitiate these ideals or remove them from national life. Such sentiment may appear to be dormant at times, but it is ready to spring into action the moment the prized heritage of religious freedom is challenged.

Open attacks on the ideals embodied in the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights—ideals which stem directly or indirectly from the teachings of Christ Jesus—are more readily detected and thwarted than are the hidden undermining assaults that would put the people to sleep, weaken their moral fiber, and so make them vulnerable to evil designs of one kind or another. All attempts to undermine these universally valid ideals are put forth by the carnal mind, which Paul said "is enmity against God" (Rom. 8:7). If we are alert, such attempts will fail.

When the people of Israel were being subjected to similar assaults, the Psalmist sang to God (Ps. 83: 2-4): "Thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. . . . They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance." In every enlightened society the carnal mind will attempt to separate men from their divine source and keep them from living in accord with God's government until evil's deceptive nature is exposed and its purpose is thwarted.

In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy speaks of the hidden efforts of evil to harm. She writes (p. 570): "The march of mind and of honest investigation will bring the hour when the people will chain, with fetters of some sort, the growing occultism of this period. The present apathy as to the tendency of certain active yet unseen mental agencies will finally be shocked into another extreme mortal mood,—into human indignation; for one extreme follows another."

Christian Science exalts the power of God and depends upon this power to preserve mankind from evil even as it transforms the individual and reveals man's God-given identity. Contrary to this, materialism would exalt the work of men's hands above the mighty power of God and so betray men into the hands of evil. This is one of its weaknesses. Materialism would belittle God's power to preserve humanity, try to alter the course of human history, and reverse its direction. But in the face of such an assault, religious roots must go deeper into the spiritual realities of being and enable a people to draw added strength from Spirit, the divine source and substance of all true being.

The destiny of a country will be fulfilled as its ideals are indelibly impressed upon its people and determine their lives. Then its citizens will not become so engrossed in the mechanics of living that they lose sight of the purpose of Life itself.

The cultural and religious atmosphere that prevailed in the United States when Mrs. Eddy discovered and founded Christian Science was favorable to the growth and development of this scientific religion. Many Americans who are Christian Scientists believe that America was as much prepared of God for the appearing of Christian Science as Mrs. Eddy was prepared of Him to discover it. In the textbook she states p. 107), "God had been graciously preparing me during many years for the reception of this final revelation of the absolute divine Principle of scientific mental healing."

During the nineteenth century there was a widespread expectation among idealistic thinkers of many nations that the United States would lead the way to greater freedom for all men. Shortly after Mrs. Eddy's discovery, one writer said that "America, . . . founded upon the principle of the equality and brotherhood of all mankind, seems destined to furnish the most complete expression of the Christian civilization; and to become the fountain of a new and higher life for all the races of men." It is this purpose of universal good which the Christian Scientist of any country seeks to serve through upholding the highest ideals of his own nation.

The mental soil of the United States has been favorable to an ever-expanding religious effort. It has contributed in a large measure to goodwill among religions which outwardly seem to have very little in common except an appreciation of the liberty that each individual has under the law to worship God in a way that meets his innermost needs.

Gigantic changes have taken place in the world during the past fifty years. Unprecedented international pressures and the technological revolution have brought many difficult adjustments. During such a period the religious life of the people undergoes a great test. It is a time when spiritual strength is needed, a time when this strength is abundantly available to all who seek God. The Psalmist put it in these words (Ps. 91:15), "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him."

Ralph E. Wagers