Editorial April 24, 1978 Issue

Qualities that lead to better government

Naomi Price

Vision, integrity, spiritual strength, courage, confidence in the triumph of right, initiative, responsibility—these God-derived characteristics are often thought of as leadership qualities. They have far-reaching effects. If someone allows himself to be governed by them, he is not only rightly governed himself but he is often able to bring out these same qualities in others, and to inspire them to work in wholehearted support of the just cause of establishing a better society. When this occurs, that person's name is long remembered and revered.

Joshua is cited by Mary Baker Eddy as an example. He lived more than three millennia ago, but she refers to him in the Christian Science textbook as "the renowned Hebrew leader."^{Science and Health with key to the Scriptures, p. 333;} The Bible says that Joshua "was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him."^{Deut. 34:9;} Having received inspiration through Moses, this man went on to inspire a whole nation to overcome their enemies and establish a more stable way of life.

Since then, many individuals have lived whose expression of God-given leadership qualities has affected history. In the neighborhood of London's Parliament Square there are many memorials to such people. For instance, one might see at one glance a statue of Abraham Lincoln in contemplative mood, and another of Boadicea, the legendary warrior queen of ancient British history. She is depicted driving her horse-drawn chariot as the leader of her tribespeople in their fight against the Roman invaders in A.D. 60.

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