The independence of the individual is an idea that has been emerging since time began. The man of God's creating is dependent on God alone. Christian Science reveals this man as spiritual, not evolved from matter, but emanating from divine Mind. Individual man expresses the infinite individuality of Mind and reflects Mind's self-government in wisdom, which manifests limitless artistry and ingenuity.

Contrary to the real creation is the inverted image of that creation called mortal man. This inverted image appears in the carnal, or mortal, mind which misconceives reality at every point. This mind's false, material individual is subjected to material law—to chance, to discord, to fear and hate—and through this false law mortal mind constantly opposes the individual's efforts to be free.

Not understanding spiritual reality, human beings believe the inverted image to be true. But the truth is ever present in human consciousness, and the human being sensing this truth make's efforts to free himself.

Christ Jesus' coming was the human appearing of the divine idea of man as the Son of God, Spirit. The Bible depicts the enslavement of mankind to material beliefs in the allegory of Adam and Eve and the serpent. Mary Baker Eddy tells us (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, pp. 564, 565): "In Genesis, this allegorical, talking serpent typifies mortal mind, 'more subtle than any beast of the field.' In the Apocalypse, when nearing its doom this evil increases and becomes the great red dragon, swollen with sin, inflamed with war against spirituality, and ripe for destruction. It is full of lust and hate, loathing the brightness of divine glory."

Jesus taught that there is a place for every individual to live harmoniously and to express "the brightness of divine glory" in the realm of Spirit. He said (John 14:2), "In my Father's house are many mansions." But history records the most violent opposition to this teaching. Individuals and masses of people, unaware of the Father's house and its many rooms and of the place prepared there for each individual, have acted as tyrants or as mesmerized mobs, thinking to gain something by robbing others of their independence.

At the time of the birth of Jesus, King Herod responded to the arguments of the serpent. On page 565 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy says, "Led on by the grossest element of mortal mind, Herod decreed the death of every male child in order that the man Jesus, the masculine representative of the spiritual idea, might never hold sway and deprive Herod of his crown." Herod, of course, failed to dim "the brightness of divine glory."

As one views the markers and reads the plaques which show where significant events occurred in the American nation's struggle for independence, one is impressed by the repeated expressions of gratitude to God. When reviewing the events of that conflict and its results, including the deep affection that exists now between the two nations involved, one cannot help but believe that a genuine desire for freedom to work out one's own way of life, governing oneself under the laws of divine Spirit, has the blessing of infinite Mind. Such independence is the truth of God and man, the spiritual idea of man's sonship with God, expressing itself in human consciousness.

There should be no conflict when an individual or a nation desires independence and seeks the fulfillment of that desire. But there is conflict as long as there is misunderstanding of reality. An individual who bases his actions on the belief that man is a creature of matter, evolved from material laws, finds conflict within his own belief. There is no such thing as a free, independent material man. Only the spiritual man is free. One can experience freedom and can attain independence of action only in proportion as he learns that man is the spiritual image of the one Mind.

This learning requires acknowledgment of the oneness and allness of Mind. And the way in which we acknowledge these truths is through obedience to the moral law, which was given us by Moses in the Ten Commandments and was explained to us by Christ Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

The serpent still tempts us to believe we are asserting our independence when we disregard God's law. But after we have yielded to temptation the same serpent threatens to destroy us with disease and discord because we have broken a so-called material law. Then we realize we should not have allowed the serpent a place in our mental home to begin with, and it seems more difficult to get rid of a great red dragon than it does a serpent. But with the power of Truth, we can undo what the serpent claims to have done.

We can stop believing in ourselves as material beings. We can stop enjoying materially personal pleasure, and we can deny the suggestion that we can be made to lust for power over others. Then as we make our lives an honest expression of desire to glorify God through obedience to His law, we shall find working with us the power of Truth to destroy our bondage to material laws. This will make us better citizens, more considerate husbands and wives, more understanding parents. It will also enable us to work more effectively for better relationships between races and nations.

Carl. J. Welz